A Sonnet
by Cynthia E.  Jones

February, 2004

a Sonnet is only one type of Poetry...........

There are many ways we can arrange our words into lines and form our thoughts to create poetry. A type of poem is a descriptive way of doing this. Some different types of poetry to mention are Acrostic, Ballad, Cinquain, Concrete, Elegy, Epic, Epistle, Epitaph, Free Verse, Haiku, Limerick, Ode, Sonnet and Villanelle.

In most cases when I begin writing a poem I do not choose a particular type or style to write. I allow my words to flow freely and once I have something written I will then begin to structure my words, replacing some words with others or moving them around, to give my words meter. In the process a verse may be formed and a poem will take shape, sometimes correctly reflecting a type of Poem. Other times a verse is written with no rules applied. Some writers refer to this as Prose.

A Sonnet is the poem type I am sharing here. It did take a little thought as each line should hold 10 syllables. Using fingers and toes, I believe my count is correct. As the line count goes, the correct number is 14 lines in a Sonnet. The stanzas should be arranged as 4 lines, 4 lines, 4 lines and ending with 2 lines. A Sonnet should also have an Iambic Pentameter. This is a measurement of meter in which each line will have five feet (foot). A foot will be 2 syllables. 

Here is an example of a Sonnet that I have written. My dedication to my husband for our Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, 2004.

Belonging To Him

My Love, my love, today this is for you.
My words in time to touch your heart and soul.
I pray that this Sonnet I write will do.
My Love deserves thoughtful wordings and toll.

Met you on a Summer's eve; Our first night.
Handsome were you, had to make you all mine.
Some days no Sun, you still give me such light.
My heart tells me we will succeed all time.

Nothing on Earth can be assure for me.
You are the one only for me 'tis true.
Even if I were to set sail by Sea,
No place to go to find a love like you.

I grieve my love, and it must be for you,
promise to me your love always and true.

• A few terms used in Poetry

• Iambic Pentameter - Each line contains 5 feet (foot).
• Foot - Rhythmic unit in a line, usually consists of 2 or 3 syllables (using 2 with a Sonnet).
• Stress - Emphasis is on a syllable or word.
• Stanza - A grouping of lines in a poem.
• Meter - A way to measure rhythm in verse.
• Verse - A line of poetry, a stanza or poem.
• Prose - Writing not in poetic measure or rhythm.

Acrostic - The tile is written vertically, each line begins with a letter in title.
Ballad - Four line stanzas with rhyme pattern of lines 2 and 4 in each stanza.
Cinquain - Five lines, first line has 2 syllables and each line gains 2 syllables thereafter.
Concrete - The words are placed to create a picture.
Elegy - Written to honor the death of a person.
Epic - Long narrative poetry.
Epistle - Poetry in the form of a letter.
Epitaph - Inscription or dedication.
Free Verse - Can not be described in terms of meter.
Haiku - Three lines with 17 syllables arranged 5, 7, 5, usually about nature or a single image.
Limerick - Five lines, rhyme lines 1 & 2 then 3 & 4 and no rhyme with line 5.
Ode - Poetry to praise with a lyrical appeal.
Sonnet - Consisting of 14 lines divided into 4 stanzas of 4, 4, 4 and 2 also using an Iambic Pentameter.
Villanelle - Six stanzas, first five stanzas with 3 lines, rhyme lines 1 & 3, last stanza has 4 lines, rhyme 1, 3 & 4.