I know people who write wonderful poetry (and teach kids about it) that hate rhyme, and I understand that. When I started discovering poetry it was free verse that excited me – no rules, no obligations, just a blank sheet of paper. It was a bit anarchic, and I loved it.

…but there’s always that nagging doubt, isn’t there? In this case I wondered if the reason I said this was a little bit because writing a sonnet, or anything in a set metre and rhyming structure, is, well, hard.

So when I decided I wanted to write properly (still don’t know what that means…) I decided to try to write in set structures, figuring that I could only reject it as a form with any validity if I knew I could actually do it.

So I wrote Barbeque Summer, 1999. But that may come out later. Of course, the peak of set structures is the sonnet. Hard, but not if you have a reason for writing one. A muse, if you will.

So may I introduce my muse, and, along with her, the first sonnet I ever wrote?

My muse is called Gillian, and the sonnet is hers. She’s ok with me publishing it, if you were wondering…

Sonnet

A gift I give to you whose life I share
Although aware that nought could pay my due
Unrivalled joy compels me still to dare
And here unwrap my heart, my soul, for you
No loneliness remains, nor stain of grey,
For beauty now has come and I have peace
I dream of you and dreams now rule the day
At night I find all burdens are released
So what is thirty now? The clocks are still;
In tale of years I now count only five
For I recall the moon on Bradgate’s hill –
‘Twas with your kiss that I became alive.
But then how can I give what’s not my own?
For into one our loving souls have grown.

-jka