Holmes

I am 27 living in
A small room in London
On Gloucester Place near
Hyde Park in a garden
Or basement room with
Two small windows showing
The shoes walking by on the
Sidewalk and a tiny WC
And a shower stall
With minimal hot water.
I am researching at the
Public Records Office daily.
On my way home one day
I visit an oddly quaint bookstore
Descending into a basement
Then an earthen floor sub
Basement finding an old
Slightly moldy copy of a book
Of Sherlock Holmes stories
I purchase and take to my room.
I eat a sandwich then read my
Purchase for hours at my small
Table then in bed for hours more.
I am halfway through the stories
When it occurs to me that Holmes’
Street address is 221B Baker Street,
The next street over from me so
I get out of bed get dressed and
Walk north to the end of my
Block turn right and walk east
To Baker Street then north again to find 221B with Sherlock Holmes’
Name card on the door as a
Consulting Detective.
I wonder if I am dreaming
But this is real so I turn
For home and bed to
Dream of the great
Sleuth using ratiocination
And forensics to solve crimes in
Edwardian England,
Rising the next
Morning feeling
More at home.
On the way to
Work I ask the
Tobacconist
For a copy of the
Evening Standard
Looking forward
To hot tea.