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Friday, November 8, 2013

Scupham Sonnet

Isosyllabic quatrain consisting of two  Scupham stanzas (sextets) followed by a couplet
Metered: Iambic Pentamter
Rhymed: abccba deffed gg



Sources:

My thanks to Bob Newman at Volecentral for this information, his site is a wonderful resource.

My thanks to Judi Van Gorder at Poetry Magnus, another wonderful resource.


  • The Scupham Sonnet is noted at Vol Central as not a "proper" sonnet, probably because of the lack of prescribed pivot. It was created by British poet Peter Scupham and uses the Scupham Stanza.

    The Scupham Sonnet is:
    • a quatorzain made up of 2 Schupham stanzas (sixains) followed by a rhymed couplet.
    • metered, iambic pentameter.
    • rhymed, scheme abccba deffed gg.
    • no prescribed place for a pivot but most good poetry naturally has a pivot or turn someplace within the poem.
  • The Scupham Stanza is a sixain used in the Scupham Sonnet but which could be stand-alone poem or written in any number. It was created by British poet, Peter Scupham and is found at Vol Central.

    The Scupham stanza is:
    • stanzaic, written in any number of sixains.
    • metered or not at the discretion of the poet. (When using it in a sonnet, in deference to the form, iambic pentameter would be my choice.)
    • rhymed, scheme abccba.



Scupham sonnet
Peter Scupham likes abccba stanzas. Two of these plus a rhyming couplet make something very like a sonnet. This is not a "proper" sonnet, strictly speaking, but I think of it as a Scupham Sonnet. (This is not a standard name).
Bob NEWMAN



Example Poem
Not to Be Relinquished    (Scupham Sonnet)

Your loveliness and charm have made you sought
by big on campus  types and by most all.
Since every blooming guy's asked you to dance,
I wondered how I'd ever have a chance.
I've secretly been subject to your thrall
if we don't dance this day has been for naught.
I watched and waited most content, engrossed.
by seeing others shining in your light.
Uplifting, kind response to all you'd meet
I meet you as you return towards your seat.
I mumbled "Hi, we haven't danced tonight.
"The timing's right, just two more tunes at most,"
you said, and offered me your arm and hand.
We left together,  just as she had planned.

© Lawrencealot - November 8, 2013


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