Wyatt/Surrey Sonnet

Although the sonnet began in Italy in the 13th century, Thomas Wyatt 1503-1542, was one of the first English poets to translate and utilize the form. He used thePetrarchan octave but introduced a rhyming couplet at the end of the sestet. His friend the Earl of Surrey also initiated more rhyme.

The Italian form was restricted to 5 rhymes. After Wyatt and Surrey the sonnet could have 7 rhymes. They also shifted the sonnet away from the slightly more intellectual and argumentative Petrarchan form, and gave new importance to the ending, declamatory couplet. This Wyatt/Surrey adaptation of the sonnet has not been officially named, at least I haven't found an assigned designation yet. So for the sake of identification I call it the Wyatt/Surrey Sonnet.

The defining features of the Wyatt/Surrey sonnet are:
a quatorzain, written with a Petrarchan octave followed by an envelope quatrain ending with a rhyming couplet.
metric, primarily iambic pentameter.
the rhyme scheme is abbaabba cddc ee.
it is composed with the volta (non physical gap) or pivot (a shifting or tilting of the main line of thought) sometime after the 2nd quatrain.
distinguished by the declamatory couplet.

Pasted from <http://www.poetrymagnumopus.com/index.php?showtopic=1045>

Example poem:


Sentient Sonnet (Wyatt/Surrey Sonnet)

The Petrarchan form stood intellectually
rigid for two hundred years, then it stretched.
Now five rhymes seemed not quite enough, so fetched
a couple more, yawned then moved experientially
away from arguments intolerably
constricted, to a poetry that etched
the notions, bards awaited, hands out-stretched-
to write a lighter sonnet, more flexibly.

For English writing folks this ushered in
the beginning of what has never stopped.
Traditionalists chins had surely dropped.
The morphing form was changing from within.

The purists arch their brows and speak disdain,
But sonnets have transformed and will again.

© Larry Eberhart, aka Lawrencealot, Oct 12, 2012

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Wordsworth Sonnet

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

Visser Sonnet

I am exceptionally glad to add this Sonnet form to my list.
Insofar, as I know it is the only sonnet form to be created by one of the States' Poet Laureates.

Visser Sonnet - Internal rhyme only
Octet + Sestet
-Usually Iambic Pentameter
Rhyme scheme (internal only)    abbaabba cdecde
Originated by Audrae Visser,
Poet laureate of S. Dakota, 1974-2001

I found no specific column mandated for the internal rhyme
Apparently Volta is up to the poet.


Example Poem:
With Hidden Rhyme     (Visser Sonnet)

A Visser Sonnet may be hard to find,
or recognize when you do, for the rhyme
is hidden from your view except when read
aloud, then it will play.  It's internal
and nicely tucked away inside each line.
It could be blank verse too, if iams rule,
for while that form if true, denies end-rhyme
it's mute about the way one  acts inside.

Yet Visser earned our praise as she was South
Dakota's poet queen- well, laureate,
the only one of such to make this mark.
Let us our glasses raise in toast and write
a sonnet now to bring this latent form
to life and add a touch of difference.

© Lawrencealot - November 2, 2012

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Vaughanet

Rhymes with "bonnet" and "sonnet".
A variation of the English sonnet.
It makes some use of near or half rhyme (the first poet in the English language
to use this was the metaphysical poet, Henry Vaughan) but its main innovation is
that it has what normally is the final couplet coming after the first quatrain,
in the 5th and 6th lines.

Example Poems:

Chipmonk Bouquet

I love my Tess, I love my Tess, I do. 

I must confess it is sweet Tess, I crave. 

She rubbed my nose so I suppose love's true. 

She's crazy over flowers, she does rave. 

   "The flower power is most sensual. 

   But neat- it is; they're sweet and edible."

So what we'll do- if fine with you- I say- 

Is place my face right here with baby breath. 

to frame my fame in cellophane bouquet. 

She'll giggle, laugh or else be scared to death. 

But she's the one, I want to share my nuts. 

She's cute, a beauty really with filled cheeks. 

I need to succeed; no ifs ands or buts. 

If this works fine she will be mine for keeps. 

(c) Lawrencealot - April 23, 2012

Author's notes:  I have written three of these, on the first I forgot near rhyme,

on the next, I missed the volta. So I switched to whimsey.

Visual template:

abab cc dede fgfg

Tuckerman’s Sonnet

Tuckerman’s Sonnet – abbabcab adeced
 or abbabcba bdeced

Example Poem:

Tell Me of Your Anger in Whispers (Tuckerman Sonnet)

A silence is most fine thing when irate. 

I'll want to help resolve most any plight. 

If I have blundered then I'll be contrite. 

Emotions can cause words to over state 

But calm approaches help keep troubles slight. 

Attack invokes defense without much thought. 

It's wise of you my dear, therefore, to wait, 

We want to solve a problem, not to fight. 

With cause to pause and think, I shall relate. 

So hold those words for later; don't despair 

for now. Wait 'til your anger can abate. 

Use dulcet tones to reap the goal now sought. 

I'll listen, think, and I'll appreciate. 

Speak whispers, lying close- and I'll be caught. 

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