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Wea’ve Written A Modified Sonnet

For this week’s W3 Poetry Prompt #109. at The Skeptic’s Kaddish, the PoW is the multitalented Michelle Navajas. Please check out the guidelines below. Come join us.

Michelle’s prompt guidelines:

• Compose a modified Italian sonnet with the following specifications:

• Theme: unrequited love

• Length: 14 lines

• Stanzas: two stanzas (an octet and a sestet)

• Meter: not required (this is why it’s a ‘modified’ Italian sonnet)

• Rhyme: ABBAABBA CDECDE

• Some variation exists for the rhyme scheme of the last six lines, but the first eight lines are always ABBAABBA.

😵‍💫 ideally, one would need to know the rules of an Italian sonnet in order to modify it. I’ve done the best I can. Hope you like it 😵‍💫

Like a storm your warmth blew hither and thither, bittered 
and in its stead a sense of grief came tumbling doubly
strong — a muddy stream, my soul sunken drably
to nothingness: spent for giving all without reticence
on bended knees, you beg I return your space scissured
I'm cross your mind you've celled from me sadly,
I ran with pretense, my perceptions negated badly —
you want to nix, keep me at a distance

but I will not quell the lightness of my being, not dismiss
the journey my chariot lived, not linger in gloom of your
indifference must find a way to soothe my soul
a new bud unfolding in the green I will not diss
in the dew of dawns awake in beauty where Laurels grow
I'll wear a crown proudly and once again with poesy soar
© selma


Thanks for reading, dear friends.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 37 Comments

  1. Sadje

    Very nicely written Selma

    1. Selma Martin

      There better be hope 👍🏽 so happy you liked Cindy. 🤗

  2. rajkkhoja

    Nice poem.

  3. ben Alexander

    oh, I see. so, this is the “best” you can do, eh, Selma? you mean you just naturally produce brilliant poetry!? how unfair! 😉

    …a muddy stream, my soul sunken drably
    to nothingness: spent for giving all without reticence
    on bended knees…

    This is simply fantastic! Love it, love it! <3

    ~David

    1. Selma Martin

      You are just too kind, David. Written entirely in the Shinkansen this weekend that just zoomed by. Sometimes a change of surroundings helps.

      Thanks for reading. Blessings. 👏🏽

  4. memadtwo

    So many wonderful images and words! “Quell” is a particular favorite of mine. (K)

    1. Selma Martin

      Quell. Thanks for that. Happy you enjoyed K. Have a nice new week.

    1. Selma Martin

      Yes. Added strength and resolve in character for the end. Glad you love that, D. Blessings.

  5. dorahak

    Charged with determination, the imagery powerful and uplifting, Selma. Beautifully written.

    1. Selma Martin

      Dora I’m so pleased you appreciated this one. Thanks for being such a beautiful support and encourager. 🙇🏽‍♀️ 🤗

  6. michnavs

    And…you said you might skip this prompt..🤭🤭🤭my goodness Selma, this is way beyond beautiful. I so love how you played up with your use of words here, leaving a single subtle punch after each line.

    1. Selma Martin

      Yeah. I was busy and didn’t think I’d have time. And not too familiar with writing Italian Sonnets I spent a few minutes familiarizing myself with it. Realized I liked the workings.
      What helped is the fact you removed metering for this prompt. Thanks. Glad you liked it. 🤗

      1. michnavs

        I am delighted to read your sonnet Selma❤️🙏

  7. Destiny

    really so beautifully written, Selma🤍

  8. Suzanne

    Oh “the muddy stream my soul sunken drably” is such a clear image of those murky depths where we all sometimes find ourselves – and to rise from ….. lovely Selma 💞

    1. Selma Martin

      aww. Thanks for liking that line. I appreciate you. XX hugs 🤗

  9. Anonymous

    Very strong and uplifting sonnet on a sad theme 🤩🖤✍🏾🧡

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for saying. Sad theme. Hope you were uplifted. Thanks so much for reading and responding.

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