Sunday 23 September 2012

Autumn Sonnet

I've always loved writing sonnets.  The structure makes you work twice as hard.  In fact one day I might conduct my entire life in sonnets.  It suits maudlin wanky subjects but I've also written them in deep anger before.  You do not want to piss off a sonneteer.  This one is neither maudlin nor angry, just a bit moody.  I didn't manage to take a picture for this one so have used google.


A Sonnet for the Haunted

The streets still dry and seedy wait for rain,
pale lights behind IKEA muslin flare,
the shingly trees heave deeply, heave again,
woodsmoke instead of charred meat in the air.

I dreamed of you last night, not once but twice,
trying to get in or to get out
of memory, of burial in ice,
camped in my sleep, a lone nocturnal scout.

I've often wondered if a sudden shock
would pull you out: a deadened greyish tooth.
A whiplash or a choreographed knock,
a smack across the face with blatant truth.

But everyone we love, though they are lost,
retain; no chance of giving up the ghost.
 

 

8 comments:

  1. I have to return to poems several times before I take them in properly. So, I think if and when I comment on what I read here, my remarks will be a bit delayed. I loved the magnolia from yesterday....I could really feel the presence of those large flapping leaves. I'm struggling more with this one....I think its the cucumber !!!!! I am fascinated by what you are doing, will you write a new poem each day ? or have you a stock set aside that you can publish if the muse refuses to arrive on a particular day ? Whichever....I am already looking forward to the next one. J.

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  2. You could be right about the cucumber. I'm not sure about it either. I actually went to sleep wondering about those lines last night...

    Yes, the intention is to write something every day. It's sort of like a rebuilding from within and I do find writing helps that enormously. There is a large stock of old stuff, but that would be cheating :o)

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  3. NO MORE CUCUMBER! I had to lose the whole attention seeking Peter Pan thing, but there you go.

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    1. My God, this is interactive.... a reader , miles away says she is struggling with the cucumber... and it is re written, I'm not sure if I feel good or bad about that...but as long as you say you were struggling with it too, perhaps its ok. I do enjoy your writing, Peter Pan, cucumbers or deadened grey teeth...it's all good. J.

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    2. Well if you were struggling with the cucumber, I felt it was my duty :o)

      But I'm glad you mentioned it - it didn't feel right to me either and I wanted to change it.

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  4. Hey - I go away for two days and I miss a whole cucumber!

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  5. hahah it was an OVERSIZE cucumber at that

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