Summary

Carolyn Hastings explores the art of poetry, specifically the sonnet form, through a French lai and a sonnet, inspired by Somsubhra Banerjee's challenge to expand her poetry repertoire.

Abstract

The website content presents a literary exploration by Carolyn Hastings, who has composed a lai and a sonnet about sonnets, in response to the "Uncommon Poetic Forms" challenge issued by Somsubhra Banerjee. The lai is a French form with tercets following an aab rhyme scheme, and Hastings has adhered to the common convention of using three tercets. The sonnet about sonnets further exemplifies the meta-nature of the exercise, with Hastings embracing the traditional Shakespearean sonnet structure, including iambic pentameter and a concluding couplet. The challenge, hosted by Literary Impulse, encourages poets to experiment with less common poetic forms and is running until the end of August. Hastings reflects on the complexity of writing sonnets, likening the process to Edward De Bono's concept of meta-thinking, and expresses both the difficulty and joy of adhering to the strict sonnet form.

Opinions

Carolyn Hastings expresses gratitude towards Somsubhra Banerjee for encouraging her to broaden her poetic horizons.
She acknowledges the complexity of writing sonnets, particularly in maintaining the iambic pentameter, which she humorously notes can be maddening.
Hastings views the act of writing poetry about poetry as a meta exercise, akin to De Bono's "thinking about thinking" concept.
She is proud of her accomplishment in creating a sonnet about sonnets, despite humbly noting it may not meet the high standards set by Shakespeare.
The author extends an invitation to other poetry enthusiasts, including K.Kumar, K. Barrett, Jim Dutton, and Frank Larkin, to join the "Uncommon Poetic Forms" challenge.
Hastings thanks her readers and discloses the presence of affiliate links in her post, through which she may earn a commission without additional cost to the purchaser.

Poetry | Lai | Sonnet

A Lai About Sonnets

And a sonnet about sonnets

“shakespeare and company” by zoetnet is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Poetry’s music Rhythmic lyric Sonnet! Metered iambic Five daDUMs in sync Stress it! Shakespearean trick Ten syllables quick Got it!

We can thank Somsubhra Banerjee for this one! He nudged me yesterday to expand my poetry repertoire.

Looking forward to your fabulous words on the uncommon poetic forms. :) SB

He was referring to Literary Impulse’s Uncommon Poetic Forms challenge which is running until the end of August.

I’ve already smashed out an Irish cethramtu rannaigechta moire and an Italian stornelli. Now I can add a French lai.

A lai is constructed in tercets (three lines of verse) with an aab rhyme scheme. By definition each stanza requires at least two tercets, but common convention, as I have done, makes it three i.e. aabaabaab.

Lines ending in an a rhyme are five syllables long while b lines are two syllables.

Poetry About Poetry

It’s rather meta, don’t you think, to be writing poetry about poetry?! A bit like wearing the thinking-about-thinking blue hat that Edward De Bono talks about in Six Thinking Hats.

I’ve written a lai about sonnets. How about taking it up a notch on the meta-meter?

A sonnet about sonnets!

Can I do it?

You bet!

Let’s go! 😄

A Sonnet About Sonnets

A sonnet’s music embedded in words A form championed by Shakespeare himself Rhythmical lyrics like you’ve never heard I have a book of them on my bookshelf

Each line is a prescribed ten syllables Count on your fingers to be accurate Six pairs of alternating rhymed couples And ending with a standalone couplet

The trick is getting the rhythm defined They call it iambic pentameter Five sets of daDUMs make up each line It sometimes turns me into a nutter!

There’s a shift at the end, like a moral This sonnet lesson is an example.

I did it! 😆

A sonnet about sonnets! Maybe not a high-class sonnet but a sonnet all the same. Sorry, Sir The Bard. 😅

Shakespeare’s Sonnets and A Lover’s Complaint (photo by writer)

Thank you to Somsubhra Banerjee and the editorial team at Literary Impulse for hosting the Uncommon Poetic Forms poetry challenge. You can learn more about it here -

Uncommon Poetic Forms

Would You Give It A Go?

medium.com

I’m wondering if these poetry enthusiasts would be interesting in joining the challenge — K.Kumar | K. Barrett | Jim Dutton | Frank Larkin

Thank you all for reading. 🙏 💕

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you use a link to purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. Thank you.