Dossier
The Hon. Smith, J
Born to Earldom
Mayfair, London
Played for Eton
Never beaten
Rowed at Henley
For the Friendlies
Married Heather
Girl of leisure
No sons issued
(Earldom fissured)
Fought the Somme
Won a gong
Served MI6
In Biarritz
Rumbled spy
(German guy)
Came to hate
King Edward VIII
So pensioned off
To Highland croft
Tended flocks
Fished the Lochs
Hitler stirred
Joined the herd
Back to duty
Fought with fury
Took a bullet
Just symbolic
Reached Berlin
Arm in sling
Finished job
Then demob
Next awards
House of Lords
Voted Tory
Same old story
(Though pretentious
with expenses)
Had a kink
Pegnoirs (pink)
All hushed up
Harmless smut
Took a mistress
Soon relinquished
Found another
Bit of bother
Heart attack
Trace of crack
Died 9 May
[Note: sent bouquet
Three Pounds and Eight
Please compensate]
Now disposed
Dossier closed.
Outstanding! As a history buff, I appreciate the authentic nature of the subject matter.
Nothing better than praise from one who knows. Thank you Eliot.
Brilliantly executed!
From you this is praise indeed. I thank you.
very interesting read. and different too
Different is exactly what I was chasing here nightlake – dossiers are ubiquitous until you make one appear different.
Just brilliant! Very, very clever!! 🙂 🙂
I was speaking with someone who used to teach at Eton today, and I could just imagine hearing his style of voice recounting the dossier. Wonderful rhymes that capture the mystery of how life can be for “the other half”!
Great that you picked the voice in this piece – it’s a crucial part.
So glad you enjoyed Helen and thank you for your flattering words.
Traced the life of one perhaps – but reads like a composite of many. Brilliant!
Thanks Eric and you are correct, hence the homogeneous term ‘old-school’
Excellent!
Many thanks Dara.