Lately, I have been listening to a podcast series named Not Just the Tudors that takes us back to the 16th-century history in England and other parts of the world. This was a very dynamic time that saw the reformation spreading through the printing of books, and also the forming of new ways to govern nations (including Sweden). As part of this, I came across the playwright John Heywood who was that father, and in turn, John Donne who was related to John Heywood through his mother.
It must have been strange years when power shifted from Roman Catholic to Protestant as the regent’s faith shifted until Elizabeth I, though herself a protestant managed to find some level of compromise after the years of prosecutions from both sides by her father and half-siblings, Edward.
John Donne coming from Catholic faith and family had to live that out in secrecy and received a first-class education and wrote and published poetry with a strong metaphysical string, trying to reach “a true religion. Maybe today he would be seen as a liberal trying to reach a compromise between faiths and viewpoints, connecting back to his distant relative Thomas Moore and in turn Erasmus.
I must admit I have not read a lot of his poetry, and of course, his legacy is shadowed by his great contemporary William Shakespeare
Now for the prompt. Consider:
The Token by John Donne (1572-1631)
Send me some token, that my hope may live,
Or that my easeless thoughts may sleep and rest;
Send me some honey to make sweet my hive,
That in my passions I may hope the best.
I beg no ribbon wrought with thine own hands,
To knit our loves in the fantastic strain
Of new-touched youth; nor ring to show the stands
Of our affection, that as that’s round and plain,
So should our loves meet in simplicity;
No, nor the corals which thy wrist enfold,
Laced up together in congruity,
To show our thoughts should rest in the same hold;
No, nor thy picture, though most gracious,
And most desired, because best like the best;
Nor witty lines, which are most copious,
Within the writings which thou hast addressed.
Send me nor this, nor that, to increase my store,
But swear thou think’st ‘I love thee,’ and no more.
This poem that essentially has 4 alternatively rhymed quatrains (a/b/a/b c/d/c/d e/f/e/f g/h/g/h i/i) and a rhymed couplet. It has no designated arrival of the volta (but it may actually have more than one) but the concluding couplet should summarize the message. As was usual (or perhaps natural) a sonnet in this model should be written in iambic pentameter.
The name heroic sonnet is not unique and has been used for other forms (or topics), for instance by Milton that related more to the topic of a traditional sonnet.
Today I want you to explore this 18-line form, and since it is dVerse I want to give you a limited license to explore the form.
You may change the meter and the number of syllables (but keep it consistent across the poem), and you may modify the rhyme scheme, but I want you to keep the structure with a concluding couplet summarizing the poem.
As usual, link up your poem below, visit and comment and participate in this great community. Explore the possibilities and learn from others.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Good evening, morning afternoon… the bar is stocked and I have plenty of homemade pizza, caesar salad and I hope you like the challenge. Even longer than a sonnet, but still once you start writing it seems to work.
kim881 said:
Good evening poets. Thank you Björn for hosting with one of my favourite forms. I channeled my inner Tudor poet and came up with a sonnet about rebuff.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Oh I do love that, and I look forward to read your sonnet.
msjadeli said:
Hello Bjorn and All. I am way behind on getting with this form but can say that I have a kernel of idea to start with and that’s saying something. One piece of veggie homemade pizza (with the usual veggies *and* pineapple, please!) a small side caesar, and a pint of Magners to wash it down.
Also, FYI, I could not go directly to the dversepoetspub blogsite to find this, had to look in my feed. Not sure what’s going on there but wanted to let you know.
msjadeli said:
p.s. now it is working!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I think it is a form that works quite well from a kernel…
msjadeli said:
Bjorn, I love the example you chose of Donne’s work. It really highlights what you just said.
sanaarizvi said:
I would love some pizza and caeser salad, Bjorn 😀 Loved the prompt! Happy Thursday 💖💖
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Happy Thursday back… it was a while since last we had a sonnet prompt I think.
sanaarizvi said:
Yes, it has been a while since the last one 😀 Feels good to write one again!
Helen said:
What an intriguing and challenging assignment you have placed before us, Bjorn. Going to need sustenance ,,, pizza and a salad please.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Pizza and salad coming up… what may I offer to drink?
merrildsmith said:
Hello, Björn and all! I want to try this, but I probably won’t get it up till tomorrow. I’ll be having pizza and wine later, so just a cup of tea for now.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
Tea is here… and I will back to read it later.
Melissa Lemay said:
Got any pineapple for that pizza?🍍
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
*shudder* the customer is always right.., would that be with curry-dressing or bearnaise?
Melissa Lemay said:
There are two kinds of people in the world: those who like pineapple pizza and those who don’t.
rothpoetry said:
Thanks for hosting this evening. I know I did not quite follow the form as well as I should have, but this is the best I could do. How about a tall glass of cold Cider!
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
It was fun to write, and I am glad you did your best.
rothpoetry said:
:>)
Grace said:
The sonnet form gave my brain the work out but its all good. Always interesting to learn poetry forms. A slice of home made pizza please. Thanks Bjorn.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I thought we had done most forms, but there is always a new one to find.
Rob Kistner said:
Thanks for hosting Björn. 🙂✌🏼🫶🏼 …rave on John Donne!
Rob Kistner said:
It’s cool that you touched on John Dunn, Björn. I first learned with him in 1984 through Van Morrison when he featured the song ‘Rave On John Donne’ on his fabulous “Inarticulate Speech of the Heart” album. If you’re curious, I printed out lyrics on my website at the very bottom below then the recording of Rave On John Donne. Such a beautiful song, haunting!
Truedessa said:
A sonnet, I will have to sleep on it. See what the dreamscape gives me for a theme. Be back tomorrow
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I look forward to what you will do…
Frewin55 said:
I am glad that the Poets Pub seems to have a 24-hour licence since I often miss the initial post when it comes out, but I woke at 5 am thinking of the tragic brilliance of The Bureau – a French drama my partner and I just binge watched on the lives and loves of spies. Then I saw your challenge, Björn, a first line came to me and that was it – I had to arise and write poetry! So an hour or so later and I think I have earned a good breakfast – please surprise me with whatever passes for a hearty breakfast where you come from with a cup of coffee please…
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
We actually have 48 hours… so plenty of time
paeansunplugged said:
Hi Björn, I am a little late to the party. Look forward to reading sonnets.
Björn Rudberg (brudberg) said:
I am even later doing my final round… be right there.
OIKOS™- Art, Books & more said:
Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
poetisatinta said:
❤️ Donne one of my favourite poets Björn, sorry I missed this one ❤️