Swimming with the Snarks (in Progress)

Lewis Carroll featured twice five characters in his 

"The Hunting of the Snark": a Bellman, a Boots, 

a Bonnet-maker, a Barrister, a Broker, plus a 

Billiard-marker, a Banker, a Beaver, a Baker and 

a Butcher. Once again a similar set of iso-initialed 

characters embark on a seemingly singular ad-

venture. They figure in this new poetic narrative 

(though this time their number isn’t limited to ten: 

see the list following the verses). But except for 

that numerical characteristic along with several 

vaguely similar treatments of meter and rhyme, 

resemblances to the Carroll classic are few.
 
 “Let us be of good cheer,” 

said the Brewer of Beer.
“’Twould appear we’re all here, 

safe and sound.”
“Yet, don’t questions remain…?”

ask’d the Badger. “Explain
how we’d wade...but evade 

being drown’d…?”
 
Then the Brewmeister blanch’d, 

as saliva he stanch’d.
(His peers figured fears trigger’d 

his spittle.)
Then, regaining his cool, 

he observ’d, “This wee pool…?
Do get real! Don’t you feel 

it’s too little…?”
 
(To be continued)

Future Swimmers: Bowler, 

Belly-dancer, Bursar, Ballet-master, Barrista, Batter, 

Bluesman, Bridgebuilder, Brick-layer, Bridesmaid, 

Busboy, Buffalo soldier, Burger-flipper Best man, 

Bench-warmer, Bible salesman, Bouncer, Ball boy, 

Bellhop, Bassist, Bugler, Bandit, Basketball player, 

Brigadier, Butter-and-egg man, Basket weaver, 

Brakeman, Bicyclist, Bill collector, Bean counter, 

Beekeeper, Beefeater, Beggar, Babbit, Backdoor 

man, Bacarat dealer, Badminton player, Baedeker 

editor, Bagman, Banjo picker, Bap maker...