Springtime – Sonnet 1
When bright new earth begins to warm and brown,
Frost’s exit can no longer he forestall.
The tender leaf seeks sun and roots reach down,
And whispered breath of spring gives life to all.
Then comes a flight of robins, as a sign
That surely earth’s renewal is at hand.
Begin the celebration, so divine,
Of rainbow colors spilled o’er all the land.
But why display a splendid show like this
When bird and flower, nothing they will gain?
Humans alone can recognize the bliss
Which our creator, for us, doth ordain.
Spring holds a promise for all of the earth
Of life and beauty, and ne’er ending birth.
Hal C Clark – April, 2010
I’ve wanted to try a sonnet and I finally made the leap. As you probably know, the sonnet has a definite structure of 14 lines, 10 syllables per line, with a set rhyming pattern. I found it’s tough to fit it all in, but here it is.
I’m always amazed at all the drama in the early spring when all the flowers explode in color so wondrous to the eye. I know the color is supposed to be to attract pollinators, but in truth, insects are the only significant pollinators, and their sight is primarily in the ultraviolet spectrum, so they don’t truly see the color in the visible spectrum. Birds are brightly colored for the purpose of mating, but sound plays an equal role in the process. Less brilliant colors might be as effective.
So, what is the purpose for our colorful renewal in springtime? I think it is God’s reminder to us of His promise of everlasting rebirth and life. Just like the rainbow, He provides us with a visual reminder of His promises to us. I hope this poem reflects that presence. Have a glorious springtime!
Hal C Clark's Blog 
Hi Hal:
I enjoyed your Sonnet. I also write poetry (not necessarily sonnets) however I know it can be a challenge when trying to make everything fit and still stick to the message you wish to convey. I tend to take my stories and make them into Limericks…check out my blog…I wrote a poem about Spring…called The Garden..
Best regards,
Gerri.
Thanks for your comments, and I will visit your blog and check out your poem. I think my poetry can grow if I challenge myself. Again, thanks for visiting, and come back often.
Thanks for your comments. I know all the lines have ten sylables but sometimes the rhythm is hard to keep consistent. I’m working on another sonnet now, and hopefully it will turn out well. Mostly, my poems don’t have lines that long, usually 7 or 8 sylables, and only every other line rhymes. Anyway, thanks again, and I’ll continue to monitor your blog.
I dare say, Kudos to you! That is indeed a very good attempt at a Sonnet. Sonnet structure often involves the usage of an imabic pentameter (di dum, di dum, di dum, di dum, di dum), and I was very amazed at how you managed to keep it in such a rhythm almost consistently in the first stanza.
Then it started breaking down in the second but whatever.
Some places like “o’er all the land” could use a little fine-tuning to make it more interesting. Overall, it was an enjoying read, and reminded me of my inadequate ability to come up with a sonnet that fully followed the Petra or Shakespearean style. I dare say you covered more than I did for a sonnet when I wrote my first pastiche.
Two awards for poetry,
the most honest poet award,
the most open minded poet award,
two general awards,
the big heart award,
you are the princess snow-white award.
Hope that you enjoy these 4 award.
Happy Weekend!
Smiles!