The Sonnet is the topic of today’s blog.

 

Elizabethan sonnets or as they are commonly known Shakespearean sonnets consists of fourteen lines structured as three quatrains and a couplet.

 

In Shakespeare's sonnets, the volta (an unexpected turn in thought) usually comes in the couplet or last two lines. This volta usually summarizes the theme of the poem or introduces a fresh new look at the theme. The meter is usually iambic pentameter. The usual rhyme scheme is end-rhymed a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g.

 

A meter using an iambic foot is similar to the “da DUM” of a heart beat the emphasis on the DUM.

 

A standard line of iambic pentameter is five iambic feet in a row:

 

da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM da DUM

 

The following is an example:

 

”When I / do count / the clock / that tells / the time”

 

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You will note that while my rhyme scheme follows these rules, my meter is another story.

 

Love Sonnet

By: Joe P. Attanasio

 

 

Your warm heart comforts me and I feel safe

Your strong embrace helps quell my every fear

Your strong belief in me; lifts my very faith

Tranquility flows from you, tongue to ear

+

Your inner peace, conquers my violent storm

Your order reigns supreme, my chaos gone

My chilling cold is vanquished by your warm

My darkest nightmare, chased out by your dawn

+

Your heart is safe with me, here you belong

I will love and cherish you forever more

I will soothe your soul with my tender song

I am yours completely, tis you I adore

+

Joy and happiness replace doom and gloom

In our hearts garden a flower will bloom

 

--

 

Another example:

Fire and Ice Sonnet

By: Joe P. Attanasio

 

 

From a spark, to flame, to a raging fire

Transformed completely, from human to beast

Emotion moves from resentment to ire

All logic is lost, all control has ceased

+

Nothing matters, except what you desire

Ruthlessly pursued, with vengeance and hate

Angry; your violence will never tire

Your lust for vengeance, will never abate

+

I'm apathetic, my heart made of ice

I do not care; I have no emotion

I have no reaction you can entice

Take your fire and go jump in the ocean

+

When fire meets ice; fire never has a chance

Once touched by ice; that flame will never dance