Bookend Scholarship
A Shakespearean Sonnet for the contest65 total reviews
Comment from RGstar
This is not easy to do. I always said I like to see the sonnet written about love; as meant by Petrarch, though later many known poets wrote political sonnets as well harder subjects. Shakespeare even made fun of its values in a famous sonnet...a pop at Petrarch's love sonnets with his sonnet; "My Mistress's eyes are nothing like the sun." Even so, the Shakespearean sonnet, the name awarded to him for a group of excellent sonnets, using the same theme...having not invented the sonnet; that honour given to Petrarch.
Your first three quatrains were well worded, aspiring to your thesis or argument. The first two, which can consist of same thought, but each should have a new idea, or theme developed from the one before...readying itself for the turn or Volta; a moving away or a variation in thought.
This was not easy to do as you used, and used cleverly, inanimate objects to inject theories of love. Bravo.
You started the first quatrain; introduction, posture and thought. You formed, built; as a sonnet should, to the second quatrain.
Love is the subject matter introduced in the second. On to the third.
I would have liked to see the turn coming on the 12th line , even flowing into the 13th line, if needed, but you preferred the Volta on the 9th line...BUT! You know what?
Contrary to belief, and also why it is so hard to judge a sonnet in one particular way...although the Shakespearean sonnet, of which you have written here, usually would see the turn on the twelfth line, the truth is, with a sonnet, the turn can be applied anywhere, though not usual.
This sonnet is strongly written indeed. Not only the word choices, the narrative flowed beautifully, without the static read that can occur, based on too much concentration in forming the da-Dum or unstressed--stressed patterns of the iambic pentameter.
Effortless writing that seemed as relaxed as saying; "Good morning."
Impressive.
This work is my idea of a winner, for those reasons, and I am happy to reward this a ten, but the six must suffice.
Good luck in the competition.
Best wishes.
RG
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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This is not easy to do. I always said I like to see the sonnet written about love; as meant by Petrarch, though later many known poets wrote political sonnets as well harder subjects. Shakespeare even made fun of its values in a famous sonnet...a pop at Petrarch's love sonnets with his sonnet; "My Mistress's eyes are nothing like the sun." Even so, the Shakespearean sonnet, the name awarded to him for a group of excellent sonnets, using the same theme...having not invented the sonnet; that honour given to Petrarch.
Your first three quatrains were well worded, aspiring to your thesis or argument. The first two, which can consist of same thought, but each should have a new idea, or theme developed from the one before...readying itself for the turn or Volta; a moving away or a variation in thought.
This was not easy to do as you used, and used cleverly, inanimate objects to inject theories of love. Bravo.
You started the first quatrain; introduction, posture and thought. You formed, built; as a sonnet should, to the second quatrain.
Love is the subject matter introduced in the second. On to the third.
I would have liked to see the turn coming on the 12th line , even flowing into the 13th line, if needed, but you preferred the Volta on the 9th line...BUT! You know what?
Contrary to belief, and also why it is so hard to judge a sonnet in one particular way...although the Shakespearean sonnet, of which you have written here, usually would see the turn on the twelfth line, the truth is, with a sonnet, the turn can be applied anywhere, though not usual.
This sonnet is strongly written indeed. Not only the word choices, the narrative flowed beautifully, without the static read that can occur, based on too much concentration in forming the da-Dum or unstressed--stressed patterns of the iambic pentameter.
Effortless writing that seemed as relaxed as saying; "Good morning."
Impressive.
This work is my idea of a winner, for those reasons, and I am happy to reward this a ten, but the six must suffice.
Good luck in the competition.
Best wishes.
RG
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks, Roy, for your kind words and for the six stars. It's good to hear from you, and I very much appreciate the time you have taken to write such a full response to my poem. Truly appreciated! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
Between them, dusty tomes of scholarship
that filled their minds with what they thought was truth;
Starting the base of the piece.
as love became a thing hypothesised.
taking us deeper into the core
A question? a solution?
Then the answer. Very well done following sonnet rules.
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Between them, dusty tomes of scholarship
that filled their minds with what they thought was truth;
Starting the base of the piece.
as love became a thing hypothesised.
taking us deeper into the core
A question? a solution?
Then the answer. Very well done following sonnet rules.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Barb. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from CD Richards
We don't seem to be hearing so much from you recently, Tony, but when we do it is worth the wait. This is an absolute gem. I can't help wanting to know what the two intriguing looking old volumes are.
The idea of the dusty, tarnished relationship, which with a little effort and TLC can become almost shiny and new is quite lovely. The meter and rhyme are perfect, of course.
Wonderful stuff.
Craig
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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We don't seem to be hearing so much from you recently, Tony, but when we do it is worth the wait. This is an absolute gem. I can't help wanting to know what the two intriguing looking old volumes are.
The idea of the dusty, tarnished relationship, which with a little effort and TLC can become almost shiny and new is quite lovely. The meter and rhyme are perfect, of course.
Wonderful stuff.
Craig
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 17-Jan-2018
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Many thanks, Craig, for your kind words and for the six stars. It's good to hear from you. I bought the bookends in the City Opera Thrift Store in Manhattan a couple of years ago - an absolute treasure trove of bric-a-brac! I think the two volumes that lay between them were a history of Alexandria. Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Joan E.
I relished your photograph of the duck bookends (I just rediscovered a pair with ships in a stored box, which I am displaying in a like manner without the books.) I admired your reflections, rhymes and conclusion in this intriguing sonnet. Best wishes in the contest. Cheers- Joan
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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I relished your photograph of the duck bookends (I just rediscovered a pair with ships in a stored box, which I am displaying in a like manner without the books.) I admired your reflections, rhymes and conclusion in this intriguing sonnet. Best wishes in the contest. Cheers- Joan
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Joan. Glad you enjoyed it! This was a pair of bookends I bought in New York a couple of years ago. They seem to be enjoying the warmer, sunnier climes! Best wishes, Tony
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I am glad to hear you one of the few enjoying warm weather with your ducks! Smiles- Joan
Comment from frierajac
A very admirable sonnet for the contest. Partaking of love among species and also
erudition. Something that pertains just to the poet of such verses who remains hidden among the stacks of books. Good luck,a virtual 6 stars.
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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A very admirable sonnet for the contest. Partaking of love among species and also
erudition. Something that pertains just to the poet of such verses who remains hidden among the stacks of books. Good luck,a virtual 6 stars.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Carolyn. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from lyenochka
Love this one, Tony! As always, your sonnets are super! I also like that you show us that loveless academia / intellectual pursuits without compassion would be empty. And when the duck bookends face each other - there is a heart between them!
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Love this one, Tony! As always, your sonnets are super! I also like that you show us that loveless academia / intellectual pursuits without compassion would be empty. And when the duck bookends face each other - there is a heart between them!
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Helen. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from zanya
Yes indeed the emotional journey is probably the most difficult for us humans -so effectively evoked here in this sonnet and these two scholarly ducks ! some striking imager y 'dusty tomes of scholarship'- ultimately yes 'our heart's the crux'
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Yes indeed the emotional journey is probably the most difficult for us humans -so effectively evoked here in this sonnet and these two scholarly ducks ! some striking imager y 'dusty tomes of scholarship'- ultimately yes 'our heart's the crux'
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Zanya. Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate the six stars. Most generous! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Joy Graham
This is cute :) I like those bookends. You got the romance in there. Sonnets seem to go hand in hand with love. Good iambic pentameter, good rhymes, good turn, and good closing couplet. It all looks fine to me. Best wishes in the contest.
You have a B&B? I don't like snakes.
Joy xx
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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This is cute :) I like those bookends. You got the romance in there. Sonnets seem to go hand in hand with love. Good iambic pentameter, good rhymes, good turn, and good closing couplet. It all looks fine to me. Best wishes in the contest.
You have a B&B? I don't like snakes.
Joy xx
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Joy. Glad you enjoyed it!
Yes, we have a B&B. No snakebites since we opened ten years ago! LOL
Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Aussie
Well, this is just 'ducky.' I wish you well in the contest, shining your ducks daily. I really liked your poem, hope we never lose 'real' books, the feel, smell and covers leave Kindle for dead! I feel oxidises myself! Great subject, different and best wishes my friend. XXK.
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Well, this is just 'ducky.' I wish you well in the contest, shining your ducks daily. I really liked your poem, hope we never lose 'real' books, the feel, smell and covers leave Kindle for dead! I feel oxidises myself! Great subject, different and best wishes my friend. XXK.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Kay. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, Tony
Comment from Douglas Paul
I wish I had a 6 left for this one, Tony. It really is well done with a great message to close it out. I have never been able to master this form and I still find very challenging.
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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I wish I had a 6 left for this one, Tony. It really is well done with a great message to close it out. I have never been able to master this form and I still find very challenging.
Comment Written 16-Jan-2018
reply by the author on 16-Jan-2018
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Thanks, Douglas. Glad you enjoyed it! Best wishes, Tony