The defining features of the Wordsworth Sonnet are:
A quatorzain consisting of: octet + quatrain + couplet
metered, iambic pentameter.
rhymed abbaacca dede ff.
it is composed with the pivot or volta in the very last line.
Wordsworth embraced the Miltonic sonnet, but changed the second quatrain rhyme scheme to compensate for fewer rhyming opportunities in the English language.
Example poem:
Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Wordsworth 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.
Is it essential now that blame be found;
will such proceed toward a common ground?
The thoughts that form those words might disappear.
If anger stems from blunders of my own
There's nothing risked delaying words that grate.
I'll be contrite as in the past I've shown
so wait, my love for anger to abate.
My love, use whispers closely late tonight.
And, loving you, I will make it right.
(c) Lawrencealot - May 1, 2012
I love this poem! And you have a very lovely blog. I am enjoying reading about the different kinds of sonnets that can be written, and it is helpful to have the rhyme schemes laid out clearly, as you have done. Thank you so much!
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