Tag Archives: couplet

English Sonnet

By | | ,
Comments Off on English Sonnet

Also know as Shakespearian Sonnet because he wrote so many of them.
Iambic pentameter
Rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg
After the first eight lines, the theme or point of view should take a turn, a twist (known as a volta).
The final couplet should either summarize the theme of the poem, or give a completely fresh take on the theme.

My Example

Trees At Dusk (Revised)

Trees at Dawn

My solitude sequestered now for night,
the quiet grove of beech becalms the trail
as gentle breeze presages failing light.
The leaves now whisper to the flowers frail.
The flowers brightly colored purple hue
will fade each night when dust turns things to grey.
Tomorrow they’ll again present a view
and scent; renewing nature’s grand bouquet.

Young trees, wattles, used both for fence and fuel,
are shouting out to man, “Tis fertile here!”
Few reach good lumber size for settlers’ tool
or burn them, leaving fertile farmland clear.
Now, man re-forests lands preserving scenes
like this, for now we know just what it means.

Lawrence Eberhart – February 7, 2016

Echo Sonnet

By | | ,
Comments Off on Echo Sonnet

A “new poetic form” created by Jeff Green is based on the Kyrielle sonnet,
like the Kyrielle sonnet it has 3 quatrains and a couplet all ending with the
same line  (or a similar developing line ending with the same rhyming word)
also like the Kyrielle sonnet the first line is also the
penultimate (second to last) line.
Unlike the KS however the poem is decasyllabic (ideally iambic pentameter)
and the rhyme scheme is a*bbA accA addA a*A.
a*, a and A lines all rhyme and a* and A lines are the repeating lines

Example Poem:
Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Echo  Sonnet)
Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,
Is it essential now that blame be found;
will such proceed toward a common ground?
Remember, love makes anger disappear.
Harsh words once thrown will travel like a spear.
Delay such words, for they can surely wait.
Give time for impulse anger to abate.
Remember, love makes anger disappear.
Received in love the message will be clear.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I love you, honey; I will make it right.
Remember, love makes anger disappear.
Should you be moved to speak in anger dear
Remember, love makes anger disappear.
Visual Template:

Dorn Sonnet

By | | ,
Comments Off on Dorn Sonnet

The Dorn Sonnet is a modern sonnet form created for a contest by the New Formalist group. It is unusual for having a couplet sandwiched between two sestets.

Form Type: Metrical
Origins: American
Creator: Alfred Dorn
Number of Lines: 14
abcabc ee aeaeae or abcabc dd efefef

Meter: Iambic Pentameter

Rules
1. The form is created from an Italian Sestet followed by a couplet followed by a Sicilian Sestet.

2. There are two rhyme schemes given, the first uses the same rhyme ending from the first sestet in the second sestet, these two schemes are:
a) a,b,c,a,b,c-d,d-a,e,a,e,a,e, this scheme is likely to be complex to fulfil in English a language poor in rhyme.
b) a,b,c,a,b,c-d,d-e,f,e,f,e,f, this is the easier of the two schemes to use in English.

3. The meter to be used is Iambic Pentameter.

4. The form divides into three sections. The first sets up the theme of the poem. The centre couplet provides the turn and sets up for the second section which provides a variation of the opening theme.

Example Poem:

Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Dorn Sonnet)

Should you be moved to speak in anger dear
I ask that first you test your words alone.
If meaning’s very clear, then is it fair?
You’ll want to be assured your meaning’s clear.
If anger stems from blunder of my own
you know that I’ll be eager to repair.

Anytime, words can wait, while anger cools-
a deep breath, then converse when reason rules.

Perhaps, the words should simply disappear
Wait  now, until your anger can abate.
If I have stumbled I’ll get straight, don’t fear.
I’ll listen, think, and I’ll appreciate.
When we’re in bed just whisper in my ear.
I’ll rectify the works without debate.

Visual Template:

Divino Sonnet – Divina Sonetto

By | | ,
Comments Off on Divino Sonnet – Divina Sonetto

This poetry form was presented by the part Italian poet Divena Collins. It follows the Italian 8/6 pattern, but her Scottish upbringing makes a statement with the sestet, with a much different tempo.

Rhyming pattern: aabb dccd eef egg

Example Poem:
Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Divino  Sonnet)
A silence is most fine thing when irate.
Emotions can cause words to over state
I ask that first you test your words alone.
If anger stems from blunder of my own
you’ll want to be assured your meaning’s clear.
If meaning’s very clear, then is it fair?
Are these first words intended to repair?
Unleashed, harsh words will travel like a spear.
It’s wise of you my dear, therefore, to wait,
for now, until your anger can abate.
If I have stumbled I’ll get straight, don’t fear.
There’s nothing risked delaying words that grate.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I love you, dearly; I will make it right.
Visual Template:

Cross Sonnet

By | | ,
Comments Off on Cross Sonnet

The Cross Sonnet was created by  Victoria Sutton aka “PassionsPromise.”
It is composed with eight syllables to each line.
The first four syllable of line #1, becomes the last four syllables of Line #4
in each of the quatrains.
The rhyme scheme may be aabb ccdd eeff gg or abab cdcd efef gg

Sample Poem:

Yes Virginia, There Is (Cross Sonnet)

I love you though you believe not.
Your demons say that love is naught
Your reality cries out, “No,
you don’t love me”; I love you though.

Your wounds are deep and I can’t aid
because your past makes you afraid
I’ll make promises I’ll not keep.
You reject all; your wounds are deep

It just piles on when trust is gone.
When every out-reach seems a con
Twilight denies there’s any dawn.
I can not help; It just piles on

Yet from the stars, way past the moon.
will flow a tranquil peace real soon.

Visual Template:

Cornish Sonnet

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Cornish Sonnet

The Cornish Sonnet is said to be influenced by Arab traders to the Cornish coast. This verse form is a merging of Arabic meter and the sonnet. Exactly when and how this came about I have yet to pin down. Early Cornish verse is fragmented and stingy at best. The earliest literature in the Cornish language were fragments of religious plays. The language became all but extinct by the 18th century but what was preserved demonstrates some verse in octaves using 7 syllable loose trochaic lines and alternating rhyme. Unlike verse from other Celtic origins, deliberate use of alliteration or other devices of “harmony of sound” are not present. This sonnet form doesn’t fit with these early findings so I can only assume that it arrived on the scene much later than originally presumed.

The defining features of the Cornish Sonnet are:
lyrical meditation.
a quatorzain, 2 sestets made up of linked enclosed tercets, followed by
a refrain which is the repeat of the first line of each sestet.
metered at the discretion of the poet, lines should be similar length.
rhymed Abacbc Dedfef AD
The first line of each sestet are repeated in
refrain in the last couplet.

variable. The sonnet can be written with an alternate
rhyme scheme abacbC dedfeF CF
In this scenario the last line of each sestet
is repeated in refrain in the last couplet.

Example Poem:

Summer Camp Training (Cornish Sonnet)











There’s no doubt that canoeing is out for this year,
but the girls in the club are about to decide
who can help with the wrestling and drinking of beer.
I believe that deferring my diet ’til then
is an act for the public; self trimming- denied.
I’ll be ready for drinking so we’ll win again.

And no gals will face me in the rasseling bout.
Reinventing my self will begin the next day.
I’ll emerge to compete the next year, a trim scout.
But then maybe I ought not be selfishly bent,
for the team is in need of my girth and my sway,
so forget it! This way I’ll still get my own tent.
There’s no doubt that canoeing is out for this year.
And no gals will face me in the rasseling bout.

Visual template:

 

Chivalric Sonnet

By | | ,
Comments Off on Chivalric Sonnet

Rhyme scheme – xaxa xbxb xcxc dd

Invented by  Jose Rizal M. Reyes of the Philippines
Standard sonnet convetions
 
Example Poem:
 
Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers  (Chivalric Sonnet)
 
Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,
I ask that first you test your words alone.
You’ll want to moderate the emotion
if anger stems from blunder of my own.
I’ll be a thoughtful listener when calm.
There’s nothing risked delaying words that grate.
Perhaps, the words should simply disappear
for now, until your anger can abate.
If I have blundered, I will be contrite.
So hold those words for later; don’t despair
A resolution we will find that works.
I’ll listen to your words- you know I’m fair.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I love you dearly; I will make it right.
 
 
Visual Template:
 

Choi’s Sonnet

By | | ,
Comments Off on Choi’s Sonnet
Choi’s Sonnet – abab bbcc cdcd dd
 
Little Info available, if you have some, please let me know.
 
Example Poem:
 
Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Choi’s  Sonnet)
Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,
I ask that first you test your words alone.
You’ll want to be assured your meaning’s clear.
If anger stems from blunder of my own
I’ll not defend actions you don’t condone.
If thoughtful I certainly will atone.
It’s wise of you my dear, therefore, to wait,
re-think the message goal and contemplate
how goals are reached when embraced by your mate.
We want to solve a problem, not to fight.
With cause to pause and think, I shall relate.
Now here’s the perfect way to do this right.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I love you, dearly; I will make it right. 
 
 
Visual Template:
 

Kangaroo Pause

By | | ,
Comments Off on Kangaroo Pause

Originally I found this form in Mr. Reyes’ work, listed as an Australian Sonnet,
but because of the very confusion mentioned below he renamed it elsewhere in his writings as a Kangaroo Pause.  Therefore, on November 14, 2013 I am renaming it on this post.

Rhyme scheme: abab ccdd efef gg
Invented by Jose Rizal M. Reyes of the Philippines

Note There is another form commonly referred to as
Australian Sonnet (or Bowlesian Sonnet)

Example poem:
Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Australian Sonnet)
Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,
I ask that first you test your words alone.
You’ll want to be assured your meaning’s clear.
If anger stems from blunder of my own.
If meaning’s very clear, then is it fair?
Are these first words intended to repair?
Is it essential now that blame be found?
Will such proceed toward a common ground?
There’s nothing risked delaying words that grate.
Perhaps, the words should simply disappear
for now, until your anger can abate.
Unleashed, harsh words will travel like a spear.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I love you dearly; I will make it right.

Brisbane Sonnet

By | | ,
Comments Off on Brisbane Sonnet

The Brisbane Sonnet consists of two sestets and a couplet. The original sestet was based on the Hymnal Octave form which has a rhyme scheme of a.b.c.b.a.b.c.b. Two of the b lines are removed and leave a rhyme scheme of a.b.c.a.b.c. by adding another similar sestet d.e.f.d.e.f. and a couplet, g.g., this sonnet form was born.
The Hymnal used an alternating meter Iambic Tetrameter followed by Iambic Trimeter. As the Australian dialect has its own natural meter which is a mixture of Iambic and Anapest the meter was set as just any Pentameter.
This sonnet form was created during a working visit to Brisbane during the floods after talking with some of the flood victims.

Example Poem

Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Brisbane Sonnet)

Should you be moved to speak in anger dear 
I ask that first you test your words alone. 
If meaning’s very clear, then is it fair? 
Unleashed, harsh words will travel like a spear, 
If anger stems from blunder of my own 
You know I’ll be contrite and seek repair. 
Why not delay, so anger can abate? 
Is it essential now that blame be found? 
Attack invokes defense without much thought. 
There’s nothing risked delaying words that grate. 
With calmer words we’ll both seek common ground. 
Use dulcet tones to reap the goal now sought. 
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I love you, honey; I will make it right.

Visual Template