Creative Traditional:

[Mysty]

Hiya folks.... was daydreaming at work and decided to try a sonnet... this is in the abba abba cde dce format. At least I think it is sonnet..... isn't it??


The soul of a poet is steeped in rhyme,
words always tumbling about in their mind
and if perfect strangers should treat them kind
it will show in their poems after a time.

Often their words are really thought sublime,
with novices minds words appear to bind
that after a time, they most often find
themselves trying to poetically mime.

Yet if a stranger should think to query
about why words really matter so much?
Poets answers are often phrased, at best,
that their word works are only meant to touch
and to soothe the aestethically weary
readers who are often at their lowest.

©2007 Sandra Elizabeth Johnson

[Terence]

Hi Sandra, (Mysty), I thought I would take a look at this forum as you suggested. As I am an active member on 3 other sites I don't know how involved I will be here yet.

As to your question, there are certain criteria that makes a poem a Sonnet. Some are quite rigid, other flexible. As with most forms, there are fine lines that that are gingerly crossed. Personally, I like to Google a form and familiarize myself with it before trying it out. I believe there is a thread on forms already available here. One I like to reference is http://jpicforum.info/types-poetry/sonnet-795.html.

I hope this has helped and not told you what you already knew. It would be good practice if you could add the IP to this poem - it might take time - just to give you an idea of writing in meter for when you try other forms, or any style to some extent.

Happy writing, Terence

[Mysty]

meh .... I just don't know about this ..... I don't think I like sonnets.

[Bear]

wonderful write Mysty
hugs kisses
tom

[Jeez]

Ms Sandra...,

All that abba abba cde
dce format is annoying
and confuseing to me.

It just scrambles
stuff up in a mess,
and actually means
nothing to me.

Now getting to the
feeling of your write,
is another matter.

It felt light and airy
and gave information
while drawing thoughts.

Quite enjoyed it.

Thanks for the
read.

[Terence]

Well, folks, it does seem like a lot to think about.

But, Mysty, how long would it take to rewrite your first stanza as

"A poet’s soul is always steeped in rhyme,
with thoughtful words e’er tumbling in their mind
and if all perfect strangers treat them kind
those caring thoughts will write themselves in time."

You see the difference in how it sounds when read aloud? That flow is something that can benefit any poem you write.

Terence

[Benny]

I loved this...form or no...words make me see and feel. I am still torn between form and free style writting...do them both, but prefer free style, as it allows me to move easily. I liked this one you have done...I would suggest you keep working with this form until you are more comfy with it, then move on to another form...or, your thing may be free style, as my thing is now. Either way, thank you for sharing!

[Mysty]

Thank You Benny and Again Terence. I used to do alot of rhyming poetry when I first started...... sometimes still do, but I have taken to free form like a duck to water. I think it may be my preferred form.

~Mysty~

[PaintedDiary]

Dear Mysty,

I too love the free flow of free verse, as I feel uninhibited, and unrestricted, and free to express, and allows my pen and emotions to go buck wild!! LOL I love this poem, like Benny said, form or no-form. You have a golden pen, as I have mentioned before, and with such talent, I see you do one thing best...and that is...following the heart of you and you pen!! Loved it!!

Kim

[MsJacquiiC]

The Following Text Is Quoted:

Yet if a stranger should think to query
about why words really matter so much?
Poets answers are often phrased, at best,
that their word works are only meant to touch
and to soothe the aestethically weary
readers who are often at their lowest.

Ah - So that we may know, understand and truly respect the worth of the Poet, and her love affair with the Muse!

I like this sonnet MYSTY - and really over the years the form has become more relaxed, rather than so strenuous. I read something interesting the other day that some people actually think of sonnets as a 14-line poem and nothing else about the form, rhyme-scheme, rhythm or meter... I really think at least one can do is to adhere to the line scheme and stanza format. You have.

Even more important really than the set format (and please don't tell anyone I said this LOL) is the content! The content of your poem is really definitive of what a poet's job might be: that their word works are only meant to touch and to soothe the aestethically weary

Those two lines are "real" to me.
I like this poem very much - It's a nice sonnet.
Thanx for the sharing.

Jacquii.

FYI - more info on the sonnet form may be found HERE.