Writing practice: prose into blank verse
“the most western of splendid bridges over the Danube, which is here of noble width and depth”: The western stent engorged with Danube’s blood
“took us among the traditions of Turkish rule”: Of Turkish past reborn in modern traits
“We left in pretty good time, and came after nightfall to Klausenburgh”: We flew to Klaus enshrouded ‘neath black cape
“Here I stopped for the night at the Hotel Royale”: The sceptered inn outrolled its carpet red
“I had for dinner, or rather supper, a chicken done up some way with red pepper”: On chicken dressed in matching red I supped
“which was very good but thirsty” [i don’t know what this is supposed to mean, other than maybe the chicken was dry? moving on…]
“Mem., get recipe for Mina”: Must deconstruct this dish to pulp and ink, Inscribed with tender hand for love’s main course
“I asked the waiter, and he said it was called ‘paprika hendl,’ and that, as it was a national dish, I should be able to get it anywhere along the Carpathians”: On mountain thermals warmed from nation’s pride, This flightless bird soars through the reddened sky
“I found my smattering of German very useful here; indeed, I don’t know how I should be able to get on without it”: My Gothic tongue shall buttress me in flight, To Castle Dracula and back again
“Having some time at my disposal when in London, I had visited the British Museum, and made search among the books and maps in the library regarding Transylvania”: Among the dusted tomes in bookish rooms, I homed on target Transylvania
[the last was ok, not great. overall i’m pleased – this was a good practice]