Tuesday Sonnet: Canzoniere


from the ABC set Sonnets

I want to write a sonnet to you, though
I’m not that into Petrarch (his lament
Can get repetitive, when its extent
Exceeds 300 sonnets), and I know
You’re not the ‘Laura’ kind of girl - at least,
I doubt you blush as easy, and since Laura
Is ‘quiescent,’ I propose we just ignore her.
So - why the sonnet, this archaic beast?
Well, for one thing, I’m awful with free verse,
My own is as dynamic as an iceberg
(If I’m no Petrarch, least of all I’m Ginsberg).
But mostly, I’m just honouring its purpose:
The sonnet’s there precisely for that word
Which one can never speak, yet must be heard.

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Comments

Macjoyce | August 19, 2008 - 17:14

Aar, me hearties! What be this 'ere queer sort of sonnet? It's not a Petrarchan, it's a bit more like a Wordsworthian, but I reckon this 'un has no proper name. Anyway, welcome to ABC me shiverin' matey. This is a good sonnet apart from the awful rhymes of the third quatrain. Also, line 7 is a bit metrically confusing.

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