Love's Bloom and Thorn

[pipersfancy]

Oh, shall I pluck a single, fragrant rose—
more heady than my purest love of you—
to place upon your breast? Your beauty shows
a lingering blush that death cannot subdue.

Had I but known this consequence of love—
the searing pain that tears apart my mind
since angels opened Heaven’s gate above,
but left my soul to suffer here, behind.

Yet, reason changes nothing in the end.
My heart? I’d give to you a thousand times
if only in this briefest moment—lent—
for love now resonates in Heaven’s chimes.

Alas! Though tears must fall, I cannot mourn
where Love's facade, sweet rose, binds bloom and thorn.



-this example of an English Sonnet (also known as a Shakespearean Sonnet) is
written in iambic pentameter, with a rhyme scheme of ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG.
The third stanza makes use of one slant rhyme (end/lent) while all other rhymes
are true rhymes. Also, the fourth line (11 syllables) relies on the syntactic context
and structure of the line where ling-er-ing is naturally pronounced as ling-g'ring,
therefore maintaining the meter.

Thanks for reading!

[grant hayes]

Now THAT is how to rhyme! I salute, and cry 'huzzah!' Perfect title too. May all that would rhyme, pay heed.

[pipersfancy]

Aww - you really are too generous in your comments! (But, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!)

[cc springer]

Now. That's a poem! That takes so much time and thought but at the end it's pure art.

[pipersfancy]

What a gracious comment— thank you very much, cc springer! The Sonnet is very near and dear to my heart. I've studied the form for years, and while I don't consider myself primarily a metrical poet, I love the discipline it asks of me when I write.

[cc springer]

I'm not being gracious. I'm in awe. I tried with my attempt with the ABAB rhyme scheme but the poem went in a different direction. And the ending cuplet is difficult too.

[MHenry]

Hi, pipersfancy, This a really beautiful piece of art. While the entire poem flows like honey, sweet to the taste, the last words of the last line are truly sublime. where Love's facade, sweet rose, binds bloom and thorn. The poem transcends the structure, making it invisible, yet is a pure example of a Shakespearean sonnet (not that I had a clue before you told me...).

[pipersfancy]

Thanks MHenry—I do love the sonnet form! I'm glad you found this one enjoyable!

[Brainwreck]

Whoa and Wow, I guess I did miss English. Thanks for the rules and the lovely poem as an example. Looks like it takes some time to write.
Beautiful.

[pipersfancy]

It takes a little effort to really understand the process... after that, it's no more difficult than any other form of poetry. I'm glad you stopped by to read and comment. Thanks Nan!

[DWAYNE]

Masterfully done!

[pipersfancy]

Much appreciation!

[Parkinsonspoet]

I admire that greatly and usually that means I am so busy being impressed I forgot to enjoy it. This time I enjoyed greatly that I had to read it again to see how clever it was

[pipersfancy]

What a lovely comment! To be caught up in the enjoyment of the poem: that is what I want to experience both in the writing, and in the reading, of poetry! Thank you, Parkinsonpoet!

[imrogue]

Beautiful! Thanks for the rules noted... Maybe someday I'll understand and learn how the process works...thanks for sharing! 👍🏼😊

[pipersfancy]

You know, it's like anything else... a little study, a lot of practice... then you don't really need to think too much about the rules. It's more a solid foundation... the basic structure needed... you know what I mean? They are just "there" so you can focus your attention on writing the poem! I appreciate your comments! Thank you, imrogue!

[RhymeLovingWriter]

So...so...so beautiful.

[pipersfancy]

I'm glad you enjoyed this one, RhymeLovingWriter. I do have a love of Sonnets, and I think the form allows me expression in more lyrical ways than oter forms of poetry.