Tonya McQuade
Santa Clara County Branch
For many years, the sonnet form was king;
To write in perfect meter earned acclaim.
In fourteen lines, true sonneteers would sing,
To share deep thoughts on life and love their aim.
In octaves and in sestets, they would rhyme,
Iambic patterns filling up the page.
For many, Petrarch’s style was sublime,
While others preferred Shakespeare as their gauge.
The sonnet’s “volta” offers up a turn,
A fork in thought, an argumental twist;
And though some critics now this form do spurn,
Supporters on its merits still insist.
Ah, for those days when sonnets ruled the heap –
For I, those metered measures, like to keep!
Enjoyable! “Fork in thought” is very nice. Sonnet-writing is a challenge, but there’s a sense of triumph when one succeeds – like you do with this clever one!
Brilliant poetry Tanya. I, for one, would like to keep the sonnets as well; however, I appreciate all the different forms of expression. I applaud yours.
Thanks, Nancy! I appreciate many forms as well, but I sometimes enjoy the challenge of writing a sonnet.
Bravo, Tonya! Just the idea of attempting a sonnet causes anxiety! This is cleverly done, writing a sonnet about the process and history of writing a sonnet and managing to include some humor. You make it look much easier than it is!