To You, My Sonnet

My love, I know not what a sonnet is.
Is it a verse in groups of twelve and two?
Or octave, sestet, turn or volta too?
Has it no foot or syllable amiss?
And is it blessed by this; a metric kiss?
Should it be written by a heart that's true?
Or by the mind and all its wondrous hues?
Or is it something bridging all of this?

Thou art a perfect sonnet dreamt, my love;
Thou art more lovely than a summer's day.
Thou canst in me a skilful rhythm impart,
And drench my soul with fragrance from above.
You're written by the essence of today,
To live tomorrow, etched upon my heart.

Author's Note

This is my first ever sonnet, and I've chosen an Italian sonnet scheme just to make things a bit exotic! Pardon me the Shakespeare reference. I just HAD to include that one. Iambic pentameter, by the way.

Reviews

[RDOriginal]

This is a very impressive piece for a first sonnet with an interesting subject and a delicate dose of quirky self-referencing.

Choosing to write a sonnet about writing a sonnet makes this very refreshing. I don't think I've ever read a sonnet that hasn't been about love or being in love or some attribute of love so this was a first for me as a reader. I like the way you reference the research you've clearly had to do in order to produce this poem, it's clear you've read plenty about the structure and expectations people have. Trotting them all out in verse just makes me more aware of how complex structured poetry can actually be with a language all of its own, 'Or octave, sestet, turn or volta too'. It's no wonder so many of us stumble when writing one (and in my case it got left at one piece which is so ghastly it's never leaving my hard drive!)

I think the oblique reference to Shakespeare works very well. Even laymen associate the bard with the sonnet so in a sonnet about sonnets how can you possibly ignore him? As you've chosen perhaps his most famous line in 'Thou art more lovely than a summer's day' you're probably doing what so many writers have done when looking for inspiration and read that line and thought, 'Why am I finding writing so hard? Look how simple this is and it just works!'. I'm sure there are many poets on this site who've experienced that frustration.

I enjoyed reading this. I'll leave it to the experts on metre and form to cast judgement on whether it measures up to the structure police's exacting standards but I liked it.

[Kenaz]

This is a classic that deserves a nod. I find nothing wrong with it, though I assume that most of your poetry is well placed. You have surgical hands, "keep on writing"! ;)

[Abdul Aziz]

Haha, I'll never become a surgeon :P Thanks for the review! I hope I "keep on writing" ;)

[Audrey Howitt]

I cannot address your form as I am more than ignorant in that regard--but I will say that the writing floats (which is a good thing in this case) and I love the flow of it--the last 2 lines are just gorgeous--

[Charles]

Great effort, whether a first sonnet or one of many. Nothing but praise for the writing from this reader!

[~~~~~]

"First ever sonnet" and to choose the harder form of the style is even more impressive. I am not big on meter, in fact at the sheer mention of iambic pentameter, etc. my mind and face draws a blank. I am more a rhythm by ear person and I can say with certainty your sonnet runs smoothly when read aloud. You seem to have a natural proficiency for measure and persona though a more skilled sonneteer may pick up better on the technicalities than I can. With that being said I find the concept to be astounding wrought with a style comparable to our poetic forefathers.

[Coyote Poetry]

A very beautiful sonnet. The story was strong and beautiful. I like the flow and the ending of the poem. A outstanding poem.
Coyote

[Awdures]

Pretty fine sonnet in ode to a sonnet I must say!Italian Sonnets I find harder to write because you have to rememebr the rhyme and I keep second guessing! Excellent work!

[Cristal Bridges]

Very lovely and gentle this poem! You like so many other poets on this site have an amazing way with words! I am absolutely smitten with all of this poetry! It's wonderful what things the mind can think up! Amazing!

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Your words are as soft as a light breeze upon the nape of night. Whatever the form, your words are beautifully writ.

Linda Marie

[the_stoic]

i know not exactly what a sonnet is and i need not to know as long as i am able to read and enjoy such beautiful writes !! everything fell in place in this write of yours . the first stanza clearly depicting your doubt about sonnet and the last one clearly stating that your love is the perfect one ! keep writing