Shelley’s Sonnet

Percy Bysshe Shelly seemed to have a fondness for interlocking stanzas, possibly a nod to French literature. In his sonnet, he follows the continental octave and sestet format, but he also links the first four lines into the second half of the octave, again the second half of the octave links into the first half …

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Constellation Sonnet

Created by: Terry Clitheroe Meter: Decasyllabic or Pentameter Structure: Two quintains and a quatrain Rhyme Scheme: ababa ababa cdcd Example: Metaphysical Dreams by Jez Farmer A stairway that leads away from this place Where two lovers can dance among the stars Their desires meet as one in time and space As destiny unites Venus and …

Clare’s Sonnet

Created by: John Clare Meter: Any Structure: Quatorzain of couplets Rhyme Scheme: aabbccddeeffgg Example: Line by Line by Jez Farmer The soft touch of her lover’s lips On her skin his tongue slowly skips His hunger, her passion as one Defining love’s erotic fun Without words, with a metered beat Their verse inscribed in sexual …

Choi’s Sonnet

Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet Rhyme Scheme: abab bbcc cdcd dd Example: Heat of the Moment by Jez Farmer I need to take you in my arms tonight, To hold you close and taste your lips on mine, And feel your sighs entwine with my delight, As passion wraps us …

Chivalric Sonnet

Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet Rhyme Scheme: xaxa xbxb xcxc dd Example: Down by the Stream by Jez farmer Each night I walk past the tree-lined stream, And see the seasons flowing quickly by, The silver shards that moonlight leaves behind, Entwined with rusty gold of autumn's sigh. I sit …

Beymorlin Sonnet

Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: Octet and sestet Rhyme Scheme: abbacddc efefgg Example: Last Kiss by Jez Farmer And before I die I recall the love I’m lost in faded dreams of youthful thought Like post-it notes that always came to nought Could be loves that only poets write of A kiss of good-bye when …

Cerispring Sonnet

Meter: Alternating tetrameter and trimeter Structure: 2 triplets. a couplet and 2 triplets Rhyme Scheme: aba bcb dd cec efe Example: Falling Leaves by Jez Farmer In golden flurries falling leaves Bid farewell summer sun And Mother Earth wears autumn sleeves. The field are bare, the harvest done, And songs surround the fire The darker …

Betwixt Sonnet

Created by: Jose Rizal M. Reyes Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Rhyme Scheme: abba cbbc dbbd bb Example: Immortal Words by Jez Farmer The first time I said the words ‘I love you’ Forever seemed a vast expanse of time Immortal like words captured in a rhyme But it’s no …

Caudated Malayan Sonnet

Created by: Jose Rizal M. Reyes Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: 5 quatrains Rhyme Scheme: aaba bbcb ccdc ddde eeff Example: Surfing by Jez Farmer Sweet love is like the ocean’s surging tide, And, alas, not always the smoothest ride, But where the land shall meet the turbid sea Is where I lay my heart …

Beginning of the Line Rhymed Sonnet

Structure: Octet and sestet. First words in the line rhyme, not the end rhyme word Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Rhyme Scheme: aabbccdd eeffgg Example: A Path of Virtue by Jez Farmer Above among the stars I see my dream Of love, the virtuous path to your kiss Desire the lamp that leads the way ahead …

Elemental Sonnet

Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: Quatrain, sestet and quatrain Rhyme Scheme: abab ccddcc fgfg Example: Song of Nature by Jez Farmer The song of nature’s birth is all around, Through all of time its music calls to us, It’s sung in the stars and the earthly ground A song of love that none can e’er …

Echo Sonnet

Created by: Jeff Green Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet Rhyme Scheme: a1bba2 acca2 adda2 a1a2 Example: Lebensraum by Jez Farmer To find the place where gods reside; just look Into a candle’s solitary flame And listen for their voice to call your name Within the self, and there you’ll find …

Bardic Sonnet

Created by: William Kenneth Keller Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet 1. The rhyme is to be internal cross rhyme, not end rhyme. This is formally known as interlaced rhyme. The interlaced rhymes should occur within the first 3 feet of the line. 2. Rather than end rhyme, the form employs a type of alliteration …

Envelope Sonnet

Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: Octet and sestet Rhyme Scheme: abbacddc efgefg Example: Romancing the Verse by Jez Farmer Romantic heart that graced paper and ink Inspiring poets far beyond your time With words that danced across the years between And on the page your dreams of love are seen By lovers seeking the sense …

English Sonnet

Rhyme Scheme: abab cdcd efef gg Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet Example: The Black Hound of Destiny by Jez Farmer As darkness takes our souls to hell what has become of pleasant dreams when death has tolled its final bell no one remains to hear the screams. Gwyllgi calls, the …

Busta Sonnetto 2

Rhyme Scheme: abcba deed fghgf Meter: No meter requirement Structure: Quintain, quatrain and quintain Example: Divine Pleasures by Jez Farmer The chime that travels in to yesterday An echo of youth now so distant When the heat of summer meant endless fun Responsibility non-existent When all we had to do was run and play The …

Balanced Sonnet

Created by: Barbara Dilworth Structure: 2 Septets Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Rhyme Scheme: ababcbc dedefef Example: Empty Throne by Jez Farmer I’m yielding to the will of fate’s command And letting go so I may dance again For love is never to be at my hand Instead I grieve but deny feeling pain For all …

Busta Sonetto 1

Meter: No meter requirement Structure: 2 quintains and a quatrain Rhyme Scheme: abcba defed ghhg Example: Danish Prince by Jez Farmer A soliloquy questions life or death One man’s desperate plea seeking choice As he utters ‘to be or not to be’ The strain echoing in his troubled voice And again as he draws into …

Bush Ballad-Meter Sonnet

Created by: Lawrence Eberhart Meter: L1 through L12 alternate 15 and 11 syllable. Lines 13 and 14 each have 15 syllables Structure: Octet and sestet Rhyme Scheme: ababcdcd efefgg Example: The Magic by Jez Farmer Only lovers share the true secrets of love that touch the soul The mystery hidden betwixt stars and moon And …

Burns’ Sonnet

Meter: No meter requirement Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet Rhyme Scheme: abab cddc effe gg Example: Final Justice by Jez Farmer The door slammed shut, I was alone again With thoughts for friends and darkness my comfort Watching the place where my body was slain My spirit watches without a consort I see the …

Arabian Onegin Sonnet

Structure: 2 quatrains and 2 triplets Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Rhyme Scheme: AaAa BBbb CdC DDd Example: There is no Try, Just Can by Jez Farmer My heart calls to the mountains and valleys As I wander the dingy town allies My heart calls to the mountains and valleys Where the ancient souls still hold …

Brisbane Sonnet

Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Structure: 2 sestets and a couplet Rhyme Scheme: abcabc defdef gg Example: Home by Jez Farmer Those sweeter thoughts are lost to mundane grey As stormy winds clear out a dreamy night And drudgeries of daylight take their place In slumber’s embrace, I would rather stay And feel your kiss that …

American Libre Sonnet

Created by: Jose Rizal M. Reyes Structure: 3 quatrains and a couplet Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Rhyme Scheme: abab bbcc cdcd ee Example: Questions in the Dark by Jez Farmer Sweet love of mine, within my dark world shine And be the one to dry my face of tears In this desolate world can you …

Blues Sonnet

Structure: A decasyllabic or iambic pentameter quatorzain composed of four triplets and a couplet. Rhyme Scheme: AAa BBb CCc DDd ee Example: Too Late by Jez Farmer Rapid fingers quickly say ‘I miss you’ Instant messages because I miss you Oh without you my heart is turning blue Silence after too many heated words How …

Alfred Dorn Sonnet

Structure: Sestet, couplet and sestet Meter: Decasyllabic or pentameter Rhyme Scheme: abcabc dd aeaeae Example: The Heart’s Beat by Jez Farmer Beneath the curls of soft crimson there waits The sweetest perfume of desire’s dream On the breath of the hushed cry of sorrow Released within love’s kiss that integrates Emotions into a sensuous stream …

Acrostic Sonnet

Strictly not a variation of a sonnet in its own right but more of a decorative poetic effect which can be used on any variant the poet chooses. Structure: As per sonnet variation used Meter: As per sonnet variation used Rhyme Scheme: As per sonnet variation used Note: The first letter of each line forms …

13 Line Sonnet

Created by: Marcy Jarvis Structure: Any standard 14 line sonnet ending in a couplet or containing a couplet. The couplet is converted into a single line containing internal rhyme. Rhyme Scheme Example: abab cdcd efef g Example: Pink Orchid by Jez Farmer My pink orchid, the sweet flower of love Each bloom holds the secret …

12 Step Sonnet 2

Created by: Larry Eberhart Structure: The pentameter version is three quatrains and a couplet Rhyme Scheme: abcabc dedede ff The internal rhyme for each stanza has the first syllable in line 1 rhyming with the 2nd syllable in line2, the 3rd syllable in line 3 with the 4th syllable in line 4, and the 5th …

12-Step Sonnet 1

Created by: Larry Eberhart Structure: Three quatrains and a couplet in tetramter. The internal rhyme has the first syllable rhyming with the 2nd syllable in line 2, the 3rd syllable in line 3 with the 4th syllable in line 4. Rhyme Scheme: abab cdcd efef gg Example: Wild Roses by Jez Farmer Why do I …

Blank Verse Sonnet

Meter: Pentameter or decasyllabic lines Structure: Quatorzain Rhyme Scheme: No rhyme Example: Sleepless Night by Jez Farmer The night is waiting in silver moonlight, For lips to meet and share a lover's kiss, Between the hushened pleas and wanting sighs, As parting clouds reveal the moon is full, The night of sleepless dreaming has begun. …