Four Kings Sonnet

Rhyme Scheme:  abbaabba abbaab
Invented by Jose Rizal M. Reyes of the Philippines
Iambic Pentameter
Volta Line 9 or beyond

Example Poem:


Four  Epoch Sonneteer  (Four Epoch Sonnet)

In school in fifty-seven I learned rhyme;
and forced exposure taught me sonnets ruled.
That all had fourteen lines; so I was schooled.
and Shakespeare was the master for all time.
Near three score years had passed be fore I tried
again to master bard's acknowledged sphere.
Then meter taunted me; I was defied
by multisyllabic words quite unclear.

At last, I grasped it, got the concept down.
I tried then linking sonnets together
with structure well defined, to tell a tale
worth telling.  I, at last. composed a crown.
A sonnet redouble'--now version five,
is ready; somehow I am still alive.

© Lawrencealot, October 17, 2012

Visual Template:

English Sonnet

Also know as Shakespearian Sonnet because he wrote so many of them.

Iambic pentameter

Rhyme scheme abab cdcd efef gg

After the first eight lines, the theme or point of view should take a turn, a twist (known as a volta).

The final couplet should either summarize the theme of the poem, or give a completely fresh take on the theme.

Example Poem:

Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (English  Sonnet)

Should you be moved to speak in anger, dear,

I ask that first you test your words alone.

You'll want to be assured your meaning's clear

if anger stems from blunder of my own.

If meaning's very clear, then is it fair?

Is it essential now that blame be found;

Are these first words intended to repair?

will they take us toward a common ground?

Unleashed, harsh words will travel like a spear,

Delay such words, for they can surely wait.

Perhaps, the words should simply disappear

Give time for impulse anger to abate.

My love, use whispers closely late tonight.

I love you, honey;  I will make it right.