EIF Poetry Challenge #1: The Sonnet

I believe that many moons ago, in my entry ‘Setting Free the Books,’ I promised you a poetry challenge. I can only apologise that so far, no such challenge has been forthcoming. Little things like moving to a different country got in the way. But now I think it’s time to have some fun!

What I propose is this: anyone who wants to take part should post a sonnet on their own blog, tag it ‘EIF Poetry Challenge,’ link back to this post, and post the link to their work in the comment section below. Alternatively, if you’re shy, you can email your sonnet to experimentsinfiction@protonmail.com. If you don’t have your own blog, you can post on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #EIFpoetrychallenge. Don’t forget to follow and tag me: Instagram @Experimentsinfiction, Twitter @Experimentsinfc. This time next week, I will feature my favourites on this blog, but I will also post a link back to every single response I receive.

Structure of the Sonnet

In case you’re not familiar with the form, a sonnet is 14 lines of blank verse (that’s iambic pentameter, or each line ‘da-dun da-dun da-dun da-dun da-dun’ if you want a more technical description!)

The rhyming scheme is as follows: ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Shakespeare was of course the master of the sonnet in the English language, so you might read any one of his sonnets as a perfect example of how to do this. One of my favourites is Sonnet 24.

And now, it’s my turn…

It wouldn’t be fair of me to propose a challenge without taking part myself, so here is my effort. Please consider it in the spirit of light-hearted fun which I intended:

And shall I write a sonnet, should I try?
Is it anachronistic and futile
To rearrange my words in such a way
To fit a metre, in an antic style;

Is it an exercise in poetry
Or poesy or poetastery
To form my words in such a formal way
And shape such stanzas as you read and see

Here on this screen, this post, this pasted text
That started like a song inside my head
Flew from my mind then left me somewhat vexed
That it might sound like something dull and dead?

If this be verse, then read it over twice
And leave a comment saying something nice 😂😂😂

The gauntlet has been laid down. I know there are many wonderful poets here on WordPress, and in the wider writing community, so I’m really hoping you’ll take part. The sonnet can be on any subject, and as serious or as frivolous as you wish to make it. You have until 0:00 CET 13/07/20 to take part in this challenge, should you choose to accept it. Now, it’s over to you!