More Sonnet Poems

The first of  the sonnet poems is about my two former sweeties, Harley and Bettina. Despite my mother's dire warnings about the extra work and responsibility, it proved to be tremendous fun. Even my mom grew attached to Bettina. That said, please enjoy "Two Dogs."

TWO DOGS
It is a fact: two dogs are much more fun.
They roll together in the house and play.
Sometimes a ball's involved and then they run.
It happens almost every single day.

So is it work, just like my mother said?
More walks, more mess, yes more trips to the vet.
A search for sitters -- or stay home instead.
While this is all true, I have no regret.

They cuddle close and lick my happy face
They fill the house with laughs and so much joy.
They make my home-time fun at such a pace
That they are better than a perfect toy.

I did not know that this would be so true.
That's why I recommend two dogs to you.

by Denise Rodgers
Copyright©Denise Rodgers
All rights reserved.
Permissions

Sonnet Poem #2

FLAT SCREEN
My new flat screen TV's not big enough.
It sits upon the wall with too much space.
So says my husband in pursuit of stuff.
It seems to hang in air without a base.

So tell me what it is about the size
That makes each man just want to go for broke.
To me, it makes no sense, is a surprise.
The quest for big screen size is quite the joke.

Each night he will recline and then, by rote
He'll change one hundred channels one by one.
He is enamored of the big remote
And he's asleep before the night is done.

So now you're up to date and up to speed.
The truth is that this wife would rather read.

by Denise Rodgers
Copyright©Denise Rodgers
All rights reserved.
Permissions

This sonnet is about our once-new flat screen TV. My husband and I agreed that his new "man cave" required a TV, and that it would be nice to have it mounted on the wall. What we didn't agree on is the size. This TV pictured above is much larger than what we would have purchased prior to the flat screen revolution. But my husband really wanted the next screen size up. (Don't tell him, but once it was mounted, I kind of agreed. Oh well....) 

Sonnet Poem #3

You know, when you're a writer, some of your best ideas come when you are otherwise occupied. The next poem, "Tree," came to me while I walked the two aforementioned dogs. It was about 4:00 o'clock and the sun was happily shining through a maple tree on our block. And something as simple as a common maple suddenly held breathtaking beauty. I rushed home, after finishing the walk and cleaning up after my delightful dogs, and wrote the following sonnet. The photo is of the actual tree. The shot was taken at a later day, in the morning hours.

TREE
I think I'll write a sonnet of a tree.
Sun dappled to a multi-colored green.
The leaves all rustling slowly in a breeze.
The most amazing sight I think I've seen.

The bark was brown and brittle as dry dirt.
The branches reached out slowly to the sky.
So rooted to the ground, for all it's worth,
Still reaching for the heavens, by and by.

If you can't see the heaven in a tree,
Just find it common, really no big deal,
Then you are tied in knots and are not free.
Instead of only thinking, try to feel.

It was a sight unique in what I've seen.
The sight of sunlight dappled leaves of green.

by Denise Rodgers
Copyright©Denise Rodgers
All rights reserved.
Permissions

Sonnet Poem #4

Like many writers, I like to write about writing. The next of the sonnet poems is the result of going to my public library with a thick notebook and roller ball pen, and setting out to write a sonnet. The following is the result:

SONNET
Okay, time to write another sonnet.
I'm in the library, ready to write.
My notebook thick, pen poised to write on it.
My mind open, ready to get it right.

My view? The sky, and billowing white clouds,
Treetop branches swaying in the warm breeze.
I cherish the quiet, the lack of crowds
But the outdoor view is merely a tease.

Surrounded by stacks of book, here I sit.
Slight noises of people, paper and books.
A constant motor's hum and bit by bit
I write this poem, concerned with how it looks.

Does it make sense, read well, and does it scan?
Or should I should I scrap it all and start again?

by Denise Rodgers
Copyright©Denise Rodgers
All rights reserved.
Permissions

Sonnet Poem #5 (write your own and instructions)

Okay, your turn. sit down and start writing. The best part about sonnet poems, I think, is that even if you know your topic, the form will force you to write it in a way you hadn't expected. If you don't surprise yourself when you write, then, well, what fun is it? So get out your favorite pen or keyboard and get to work!

The Sonnet Format. Keep in mind that each sonnet must have ten syllables per line and the ABAB,CDCD, EFEF, GG pattern. Even more challenging is the iambic pentameter: ba dum, ba dum, ba dum, ba dum, ba dum. It's hard to maintain meaning and focus and still choose words that fit that pattern. Pay attention to the scan of each of the poems and you'll see what I mean. 

One more suggestion...when you start to write, don't take yourself  too seriously. Follow the pattern as best you can and you might just surprise yourself. Have fun!