Two Sonnets

Exercises as an apprentice Sonneteer

Let Forever Flow (Petrarchan Sonnet)

When time and love show each of us they know
how love and trust will find those moments now,
that trust and hope together must allow
the hope that time is all we need to grow.

With time and patience, loving hearts should show
the patience we invest now, can endow.
Investment in our lives will tell us how;
our lives and time ~ will let forever flow.

So take the time our growing feelings need
and gather hours ~ flowers freshly cut.
When time it takes, our love will nourish seed.

We take our time, and all our doubts we weed;
and, garden memories that show us what
the time it takes is great, when love is freed!


Teaching A Poet (Shakespearean Sonnet)

There's a fine bard, its Richard and his pen;
his written word's so eloquent to know.
With knowledge vast to share, he'll teach you when
your poetry needs work ~ before you show.

He makes good time to teach you on the side;
then, takes you under his poetic wing.
New novice poets earn a sense of pride,
when learning writing proper makes words sing.

So listen with your eyes, for he is wise;
thus, read your lessons with an open mind.
You soon will learn shy words are in disguise;
relax all thought...pitch-perfect phrase you'll find.

But, wait! Before I go, I want to say,
"Please, write your heart, 'cause it will lead the way!"

2022

Author's Note

I have been taking lessons from Richard, the one with the pen. He has been gracious enough to share his time and expertise with me. These are sonnets I wrote in an attempt to train my brain to find meter and texture in the words and apply my new knowledge.

The first sonnet was acceptable. A couple questionable rhymes and I had not finished my lessons on punctuation. But the poem was a little bland. Just an exercise. I'm posting these two together to show progression. In the second sonnet I concentrated on punctuation and Richard corrected my poem and offered a few suggestions which I used. I have been learning the value of 'fracturing' the language as a poetic tool. And how correct grammer and punctuation add to a poem. I wrote a third sonnet which I will be posting separately. If you are serious about writing in poetic forms, I recommend reading his blogs and lessons. You never know, he may take you under his poetic wing. He doesn't charge much ~ just desire, effort and attention to detail. You'll have to provide the inspiration.

I'm determined to get my 'Bard Card', but that's enough about learning the craft of writing poetry. Time to just write, and share my inspiration in the notes. Thank you Richard!

(Grasshopper just fixed the punctuation per Master's teaching.)

Reviews

[lightsong]

I must be honest to say I love the second sonnet more, though yes as You say the first one needs a little work (and who am I to say so?) yet even if it is finished I believe I will still love the second one more. first You are REALLY smart to choose a Shakespearean Sonnet as a homage for Richard the form suits him perfectly, second the whole sonnet written wonderfully and flowed smoothly, effortlessly as it should be, now for the last couplet! extra extra points for You!

[William Michael Reeves]

I certainly wasn't going to write a Petrarchan Sonnet for the Patriarch of Poetry. Nor sPENd the bards valuable pen time reading a SPENserian Sonnet. He gets the extra points for these. You're right about the difference between the two which is why I posted them together. And I threw some wordplay into the first one which muddled it up. Already writing another!

[lightsong]

Already writing another! Send me some inspiration I am stuck at the third verse of my new poem lol WAIT AND SEE I WILL FINISH IT BEFORE YOU DO!

[William Michael Reeves]

Don't challenge me.....

Actually I was going to take a break but apparently I'm determined to get it right and fly on my own to the great cafe in the sky. Where inspiration will try to get us all high.

Seriously, if you want some inspiration send what you have and I'll kickstart your heart.

[lightsong]

I saw You already posted two poems so YOU already win lol.... I was on... continuing my poem I WILL MAKE IT TODAY! don't challenge me either ;> B.T.W it's 4 am here and You are welcome~

[William Michael Reeves]

I have a backlog and need to purge. While I was sonneteering I've been writing puzzles. You'll get a kick out of them. I tried to write like Dr. Seuss for kids. Translations and wordplay today. There's a palpable energy around my mind as I anxiously wait for your new poem. I better tap into it so I can find light and song! (Have I mentioned how much I like your pseudonym?)

[lightsong]

The first draft of my poem is finished but no, I am not satisfied it needs more work. as for my beautiful name, I was Light before, Song, Sonnet, Little Song... BUT for the "Light and Song" You need to thank Robert for that :>

[William Michael Reeves]

I'm not going to distract you then. That's one of the things I love about your poetry. You work on them!

[lightsong]

You don't distract me Mr. Poetical Sonneteer :>

[lightsong]

and B.T.W I saw how many poems You've posted already... will be there as soon as I can :>

[William Michael Reeves]

That's going on my Bard Card. Right under Poet Laureate!

[Coyote Poetry]

Amazing dance of words William.
"So listen with your eyes, for he is wise;
thus, read your lessons with an open mind.
You soon will learn shy words are in disguise;
relax all thought...pitch-perfect phrase you'll find."
I loved the above lines. We must listen and if we listen well. We may hear something. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote

[Cherrie Palmer]

Okay you asked for it. A poets riddle:
What word contains 26 letters, but only has three syllables?

[William Michael Reeves]

That wouldn't be ALPHABET soup would it? Now my brain wants to do an acrostic of that. And supercalifragilistic.....!

[William Michael Reeves]

I'm gonna try to make one up...

What rhymes with rhyme and can be so hard to find?

[Cherrie Palmer]

Lol yes -alphabet

[Cherrie Palmer]

I can't keep up with our conversation. That goes on the other riddle

[William Michael Reeves]

Did I stump you? It's a trick question.

[Cherrie Palmer]

...Time.....

[William Michael Reeves]

You got one of the two correct answers. Rhyme is what I was thinking. You got me! Riddles and answers would be an interesting poem. If they were clever. Not simple like these. I'm working on a nonette. First line...occasional occasions occur. Let's see if I can pull it off.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I bet you can.

[JE Falcon]

I'm liking what I'm reading, seeing, and feeling. I especially liked, "We take our time, and all our doubts we weed; --- and garden memories, that show us what, --- the time it takes is great, when love is freed! ------ A very worthy writing.

[William Michael Reeves]

A worthy write worthy of reading. Thank you! Not sure how something as mundane as gardening ends up in so much poetry. Maybe because it's not mundane at all!

[JE Falcon]

"tis the tending of life, the organizing of beauty. Ah, the buttercups are in bloom! :)

[Patricia]

Well done! I love sonnet form. Even with your authors note I still found the first better in that it seems more pensive, the bee in the bonnet.

[William Michael Reeves]

You went with the first one? It is nice. I think the wordplay in it, repeating words from the previous line, made it a little dry. The idea of 'fracturing' language fascinates me. I went for it in the one I'm posting today. Thanks Patricia.

[John the Baptist]

Did not know you were a sonneteer. A difficult form to master, but you seem to be doing well.

[William Michael Reeves]

It is difficult! Meter, rhyme and language all have to come together in strict form. My first 3 were disasters. But found this old dog can still learn a new trick. Training the brain to see texture in words will help no matter what I'm writing. Thanks John.

[Cherrie Palmer]

I love that you post your exercise.
It helps us think through the process of creating the meter, the count, and the rhyme.
Once you get your card let us know.
Richard won't guide you wrong. Keep up the excellent work.

[Cherrie Palmer]

O have writing that I consider practice. Not because I don't love them but because I am working out the rules in my head.
Also I love the notion of thinning out bad memories that spoil the garden.

[William Michael Reeves]

Hard to learn something and not want to share it. Plus, I learn better trying to teach it. Richard is amazing. Besides his technique as a teacher, reading his poetry can be awe-inspiring. I have the frame all picked out for my card when I get it! Whenever you read something I've written that's related to gardening, it was inspired by you! Glad you like.

Didn't mean to post and run yesterday. Attended a friend's daughter's soccer match yesterday. A first for me. Hanging out with soccer parents and listening to them fight with each other and the refs. More action on the sidelines than the field. Know what I mean?

[Cherrie Palmer]

That is awesome I'm glad you went to a game. Getting out is good for the soul.
I got a riddle for you.
What's easy to get into
But
Hard to get out of?

Trouble:)

[William Michael Reeves]

You should have let me figure it out! That would be an interesting poem. Series of riddles in rhyme.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Okay next time