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A Shakespearean sonnet about the Shakespearean sonnet...

The Shakespearean Sonnet Sonnet

I come to sing the praises of a form
That tends to have five rising feet per line
And fourteen lines. And rather more than warm
My feelings are; I find it, oh, so fine!
Now four-foot lines, though easily composed,
Produce a relatively sing-song sound;
Indeed, unless the poem is quickly closed,
Asleep is how its hearers may be found.
And often at line 9 one will discern
A turning point; and since, so far, of rhyme
I've nothing said, to that I'd like to turn,
And point out that up until this time
The rhyme has alternated. But no more:
A rhyming couplet really shuts the door!

Sonnet by Rob Graber
Read 1146 times

Editors' choice
Written on 2008-10-19 at 00:46

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Nancy Sikora
I agree that the "five feet" make the sonnet stand out. And I love the way the couplet "closes" the poem with finality. I do prefer poems, regardless of style, that are "wrapped up" at the end rather than petering out pathetically.

I find sonnets more work to write than most other poem types. Except villanelles, which are nearly impossible.
2011-01-15

D.D. Michaels
Your poetic talent is unmistakable in this extremely well-wrought and carefully thought out construction. Keep up the wonderful works.

D.D. Michaels
2008-11-19

Editorial Team
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*Congratulations*

Your text has been chosen by the Editors to receive a Gold Star!

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2008-11-17

Anne Westlund
Rob

You're good. Really good. Just showing off here, aren't you? Loved it!

Anne
2008-10-21

I, too, although Italian, find the Shakespearean sonnet's final couplet both elegant and effectful.
An applause to your talent!
2008-10-19

Rob Graber
Oops! That garbled sentence should read:

Here, consecutive rhymes occur--twice!--in the
octave (beginning), and not at all in
the sestet (ending).
2008-10-19

Rob Graber
Let me respond here to Caroline's query.

Yes, in the classic Shakespearean form, the rhyme alternates through twelve lines (three quantrains); the poem then is dramatically capped by a rhyming couplet. The scheme is represented: abab cdcd efef gg. The other classic sonnet form is the Petrarchan (or Italian). It is usually described as an octave and a sestet: abba abba cdecde. Here--I just consecutive rhymes occur--twice!--in the octave (beginning), and not at all in the sestet (ending). To me, the Italian form serves mainly to enhance my admiration for the English one.

Thanks to all for the comments!
2008-10-19