Beat Me to a Pulp

"... a type of work produced by half-educated and wholly incompetent writers for consumption by office boys, factory girls, and other persons devoid of culture and literary taste." - R Austin Freeman, "The Art of the Detective Story"

I try for taste, you understand,
and read sonnets,
collect novels that reap plaudits.
I accept manna from God's hand.

But often my taste reflects the dark mass
of office girls and workshop boys,
and so I fly like Lucifer, alas,
to folk fiction and pulpy joys.

Elysia's bookshelves are alright
for self-improving types,
but now and then, yes even they
require beer and coloured lights.

The simple thrills of crime novels,
horror... and sweet, garish delights.