Dickens’ Call to Arms 

An impudent attempt

By that impudent man

To acquire this house,

Dismantle it,

Brick by brick,

Placed in boxes –

His sacred birthplace

Transported to that country!

He is William Shakespeare,

National Treasure.

British, do you hear?

Mr. Barnum:

You will not tout this house

Like Tom Thumb and others.

We are not suckers

But wise gentlemen

With pockets.

(Full,

Not empty.)

My creative journey

CV37 6QW: an enigma-like code locating the Stratford-upon-Avon birthplace of William Shakespeare. The Bard. Literary Genius.

Confession #1: I didn’t visit Shakespeare’s birthplace.
Confession #2: Actually, I couldn’t bear to wade through the throng of tourists.
Confession #3: Confession #2 triggered an idea.
Confession #4: I decided to put Shakespeare to one side.
Confession #5: I decided to write about an American tourist.

PT Barnum to be precise: 19^th century entertainer and promoter of acts like Tom Thumb. In 1844 he came over to Europe, wowing everybody from Queen Victoria to the penny-paying general public.

Amidst the excitement, the self-coined Shakespeare of Advertising visited Stratford-upon-Avon, including Shakespeare’s then neglected birthplace on Henley Street. PT Barnum was so captivated by everything to do with the playwright that he had an agent make enquiries to acquire Shakespeare’s old home with the intention of transporting the place brick by brick to New York.

No! the public cried. Most certainly not! poo-pooed the literati, including Charles Dickens and his cohorts who ensured the house remained in Stratford-upon-Avon, acquiring it for the handsome sum of £3000.

I had my angle. All I needed to do was to write my 62 word sestude …