Caudate Sonnet

The Caudate Sonnet, sometimes called a Tailed Sonnet, is an extended sonnet with a coda or tail added at the end. It was first attributed to the Italian poet Francesco Berni (1497-1536). This sonnet verse form is often used for satire.

The defining features of the Caudate Sonnet are:
• strophic, a Petrarchan Sonnet, followed by a 1/2 line and a heroic couplet, this may also be followed by additional "tails". The tail and couplet are akin to theBob and Wheel. The poem can be from 17 to 24 lines.
• metric, the sonnet portion is iambic pentameter. The tail line is iambic trimeter and the subsequent couplets are iambic pentameter.

rhymed, abbaabbacdcdcd dee.

Example Poem:


Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Caudate Sonnet)

Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,
I ask that first you test your words alone.
If anger stems from blunder of my own
You'll want to be assured your meaning's clear.
Harsh words once thrown will travel like a spear.
We've both before said words we can't disown,
They're best unsaid than trying to atone.
The thoughts that form those words might disappear.

So hold those words for later; don't despair
There's nothing risked delaying words that grate.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
I'll listen to your words- you know I'm fair.
So love, allow your anger to abate.
I love you, honey; There's no need to fight.

Just watch me set it straight.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
You husband will make everything alright.

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