Hello poets and strugglers with the Sestina. I think most of you have already found out that being steered by the end-word is the really hard thing about writing any form (and especially a sestina) is the “fence” that end-words sometimes can be, but with some additional flexibility these words can become like cairns leading the poem in the right direction rather than the brick-wall at the end of a cul-de-sac.
Most of you probably already know what Homonyms are, but here is a brief description.
Homonym: Two words that sounds and (sometimes) are spelled the same but with different meanings (sometimes called homophones).
As an example the word bear can both mean the animal bear or the verb. Another example is to, too and two where the pronunciation is the same but neither spelling nor the meaning. What is you and what is ewe?
The use of Homonyms in poetry is a very good tool for wordplay and fun and is a great tool in our toolbox. In the Sestina it can a crucial element to avoid a poem that becomes too repetitive by being locked in only one meaning of the word. I view the possibility a little bit like coming to a crossroad where you are getting the option to turn left instead of going straight ahead.
If you google Homonyms you will be able to find your own source, but here is one.
I understand that this prompt does not really help you in editing your old sestina, but if you are stuck or have the patience to write a brand new one, try to select a few homonyms among the one you use, and then whenever you reach that world try to select the path that seems the most natural. I leave it up to you if you allow for different spelling or if you restrict yourself to those homonyms where the spelling is identical.
The prompt is open another 2 weeks so you will have plenty of time to write something, and even if you don’t write a sestina this time. Keep this in mind and use it for something else. Next week we have an OLN and then you can add your homonym poem even if it’s not a sestina.
We are continuing to write sestinas and I will continue to read yours. I hope you feel ready to write a second one.
Have fun.
dVerse 
Hello everyone… I don’t know if I will write a new sestina myself, but this will give me the chance to browse around a bit…
Hi Bjorn and All. Thank you for adding a tool to the sestina form toolbelt. It’s a beautiful fall-feeling day here with sunshine, cooler temperatures, and a gentle breeze. The trees have saturated the air with a shooshing, accented by the glass windchimes tinkling.
That sounds so wonderful… we have had a number of warm later summer days … but it feels how darkness is coming earlier by the day.
Good evening, Bjorn, good evening poets! I’ve tried to make up for my recent absence by writing a sestina about cats and including the word ‘tranquility’. I’m only just getting over the exhaustion of a mini tornado, my grandson! I spent three days looking after him while Ellen and her husband were decorating their new home, which is proving to be more time-consuming than they thought, so I will be going back on 12th September for another stint, so that they can move in on the weekend of 21st/22nd September. IEllen and I did a bit of exploring in a local park (lots of trees and a clear stream running through it), as well as playing with Lucas on the swings and slide in the playground. I got to see the progress on the house and we had lunch there. I didn’t want to come home!
It sounds so intense.. and then adding a sestina on top of all that intensity … you need some tranquility now.
I’m still catching up on cleaning, Bjorn!
Sounds like a fun if exhausting 3 days, Kim. Youngn’s will keep you young — and tired.
He’s a little daredevil, a fast runner and into everything!
Enjoy the daredevil stage without “no” while you can 🙂
Thank you Bjorn for this enlightening post. I have a second half-draft one, so will see if I can incorporate your ideas. Will certainly read up in the coming days as sestina poems deserve time and attention.
Have a good week.
I am in the process of catching up on all the poems I didn’t have time to read before… we will see if I write one… or when
Thanks, Björn. I haven’t had a chance to write a first sestina yet, but maybe by next OLN. 🙂 Thanks for hosting and homonyms.
At least you have a tip here to make it a little bit easier.
Thank you for hosting Björn. Whether or not I write another sestina is most uncertain, likely doubtful, given I truly am not inspired by the form. This poet is a HUGE college football fan, especially PAC-12 football. College football season kicks into full swing tomorrow – AND – my University of Oregon Ducks open the season on national television playing the Auburn University Tigers in Dallas Texas at the NFL Dallas Cowboy’s stadium. Between now and January I will be participating primarily in the Quadrilles, Haibuns, OLN’s, and Proseries — but I will read as many as I am able of the ones in which I don’t participate. Have fun with the sestinas… and GO DUCKS! 🙂
Ha… but maybe you can slip some Homonyms into another poem just for fun.
I will do that Björn!
Hello Bjorn, and thank you for hosting. I appreciate the tips you’ve offered her. I am not sure I will write a third sestina. I have three stanzas done and I’m a bit stuck as it were, so we’ll see.
We have time… I still have some sestinas to write, and I will see if I write a second one…
What a fun way to look at possibilities in the sestina, or in any poem for that matter. I never considered using them in such a creative way. Thank you for this and for encouraging others to meet the sestina challenge. I will be leaving for a few days to celebrate my only living aunt’s 90th birthday, but will try to read what I can before or catch up midweek next week when I return.
I think the same way when selecting a rhyme… how it can steer a poem in the way that I want.
Hello Fellow Poets- Well, I’ve done it; I’ve written a third sestina. Without a doubt, THE most challenging form I have written thus far.
Oh I’m so impressed… I will go and read (even if it’s a bit late)
Never too late!
I’ve added my third, also, and now I’m off to play with another using homophones. Thanks, again, Bjorn.
I look forward to that…
I wrote my third as well, and used six homonyms to smooth the way. I must say I agree that this form has been extremely challenging. On my 3 tries, I just couldn’t get the clunkiness out of them.
I think that having a few homonyms might be a good compromise… but the sestina needs a lot of massage to get rid of the clunkiness… I have not managed more than one yet.
Have enjoyed reading Victoria’s post and poems and have finally thought one through and with perhaps strike as the homonym. However my best or worst critic, hubby, thinks it lacks emotion! That unfortunately was our reaction to the recent long film about Peterloo. Too much depressing stuff in UK at the moment let alone elsewhere!
Made it in with another sestina. I think I have an addiction, though this is a revision. I’m working on one with homonyms which I will add here…thanks everyone who has jumped in on this difficult form.