The sonnet, also known in Italian as a ‘sonetto’ or ‘little song’, is great as a starting point if you are just dipping your toes into the poetry world. The beauty of a sonnet is that there is a lot of flexibility in its rhyming schemes to develop an emotional and thought-provoking piece, even in its strict form.
The sonnet is a 14 line poem the consists of one stanza. The stanza (a group of lines) is written in iambic pentameter — a line of 5 metrical feet. The iambic Pentameter consists of 10 syllables that include 5 non stressed (short) syllables followed by a stressed (long) syllable. So, five metrical feet.
Example: I enjoy a bottle of Lambrini
Here are 4 major points to consider with a sonnet
The traditional type of sonnet is written in iambic pentameter
The sonnet is usually 14 lines in length
There are six major types of sonnet-Italian Sonnet, Shakespearean, Spenserian, Miltonic Sonnet, Terza Rima, Curtal. (literary devices, online 2020)
A sonnet has a particular rhyme scheme, dependent on the type of sonnet you have chosen.
Here is my attempt at a sonnet.
A JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE
With a gentle judder and soothing hum
My tantric chant will tickle the eardrum
I have a timeless charm as I travel around
With a silent verse, I'm humble in sound
From where I have been, I could write a book
If I just had the time to stop and look
But I have to keep going, just passing through
Like a man on a mission, that's what I do
I may just be a train, no need to care
But I have access to a world out there
So next time you feel lost or are feeling low
You should know there is somewhere to go
Go grab a ticket and jump on board
There's a world out there to be explored
Sarah E Waring
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