The 99 Poem Challenge (Fox-Trot-9) ✓

75. Dialogue Poem -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The 99 Poem Challenge
Fox-Trot-9

75. Dialogue Poem — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

(Holmes)

      Watson, you gave me many conundrums to forestall the
      Hours of my boredom over the years, and by
      Engendering the such interesting problems for me to
      Riddle at, I am eternally grateful to you; thus, I want to
      Engage you in something I find rather fascinating.

(Watson)

      Truly, then, I am at attention to whatever you
      Have to say, since I know you to have the keenest intellect
      Ever to have exercised its powers over the most perplexing
      Realities of this world. Enquire at your will, and I shall
      Endeavor to work it out with all I have gleaned from you.

(Holmes)

      I merely say it is a fascinating thought, not an actual problem;
      See here: do you remember our first case, A Study in Scarlet?

(Watson)

      Nothing in the world can induce me to forget that
      One, no matter how many other cases we attempt.

(Holmes)

      I am inclined to think so! Well, I remember observing that the
      Most terrifying moments stem not form the dangers of
      A real event, but from the anticipation of those dangers—
      Give or take a few changes in words, but that
      Is what I meant when I said, 'Where there is
      No imagination, there is no horror.' Ever since I said that
      All those years ago, it has engraved itself into my mind,
      There to dwell and perplex me for years until
      I finally figured out why it has never left my mind, like an
      Odd picture tilted permanently to one side, which I was
      Never able to place in the balanced position.

(Watson)

      That is quite an odd observation; I am at a loss as to
      How to fathom something like that. Dare I say, you are an
      Enigma yourself, which no man or woman alive can
      Riddle out, so far I know. As to why that observation has
      Engraved itself into your mind, only you can answer.

(Holmes)

       It has less to do with answers, more to do with imagination.
       Some fears are irrational; others are imaginary. Understand?

(Watson)

      Not in the least. What is the difference, if there is one?
      Observation with the eyes, our most used sense, has its limits.

(Holmes)

      Here is the difference, my dear Watson: imaginary objects are
      Observed and understood with the mind's eye and
      Realized with intuition, such as mathematical concepts. The
      Realm of horror, however, exists in the irrational mind that cannot
      Observe with the senses or the mind or intuition, but
      Rather is felt as an impulse and understood as instinctual fear.

Where there is no imagination, there is no horror.
—Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

(To be continued...)

A/N: A dialogue poem is a poem composed of a conversation between two fictitious speakers, each of whom expresses a different viewpoint, in which there is typically no narration or authorial voice.

Meter: Free verse
Rhyme: None