meadow seasons - ottava rima

[everhopeful]

Inspired by songofmeadow and her poem Before You

meadow seasons

Forgive my choice of form, a sonnet would
be more appropriate homage, alas
the turn arrives too soon and where I could
summate my stance I'm busy making crass
remarks regarding royalty. Although should
you find some Windsor lineage in your past
I'll learn to shush and never quarry it
once you declare me Poet Laureate!

It's fair you've fought to prove a sonnet's labour
is more than merely 'exercise' - the form
you wield with grace can be a sharpened sabre
(although sophistication is your norm)
and introspective ink's distinctive flavour
is word elixir to the weather-worn;
though autumn lingers and our winter's long
there's summer cheer when singing meadow's song.

I know that fourteen lines would be too few
(even including some feminine endings)
to summarise your sonnet. While it's true
'Before You' raised the bar beyond me (pending
your next spring-loaded leap to mark a new
benchmark) I'll gladly camouflage to blend in
with others, awed and envious, awaiting
more words we only dream of emulating.

[Robert Haigh]

A very nice tribute, with really good poetic passages. I like this!

[tangerinepie]

Hi E..Truly a fabulous write, and the tribute one we all can understand and concur with.I can't pick out a favorite stanza, because each one is a treasure..Just AMAZING...Tangie..

[songofmeadow]

Well, what's not to like! The ten syllable English ottava rima is perfectly employed. S1 addresses not just the subject but excuses the form (nods to W H Auden) and I love the reference to royalty - what a memory you have - which happily doesn't exclude a reader less aware. S2 is wonderful in its summation of the cause and effect of the subjects sonnet writing attempts, the rhyme scheme struck me throughout but particularly with the end rhyme labour/sabre/flavour and of course the heroic couplet which will become my new fridge magnet!
And then the breakaway S3 employing the standard 11 syllables to support the theme's narrative about feminine endings. Mick I am full of praise and admiration for your use of the form and those final lines are just humbling, big thank you mx

[AliMariesDad]

Far be it from me to comment on a poem written to and for another member, except in this: Well Written, my friend.
AMD

[jainrohit]

Oh i love the stanza 1 Or I love the stanza 2. actually its hard to make a choice . this is a different type of ottava rima than i have normally read , because lines are like sentences yet have a very good rhythm and connect.

Read both the attributed material and these one , and both are complementary to each other . When everything has been said , its good that i read and enjoy this flourish !

[ladylilith]

Did I not leave a comment? I swear I did.. I hate it when that happens!

I thought this was an expert use of form. You use it so smoothly and keenly that I completely forgot that it was in form at all. And I always feel like that is when a poem is working, when the content is allowed to move freely within its constraints.

I love how you inserted not only the significance of Meadow's sonnet, but also how significant she has been, and can be, to some us who stumble and scrape to reach the same level. Easpecially when it comes to sonetteering! No one does it like Meadow does it!

I gotta say, I thought the rhyming was oh so slick. Especially at the end, I was left smiling, thinking 'damn! You managed to rhyme with 'emulating'?' And it worked to great effect.

Wonderful, wonderful work, and no, 14 lines could never be enough!

Lily^^

[godsplat]

Hello everhopeful

How appropriate it should be that I read this poem just after reading Before You, this was an enjoyable tribute to take in everhopeful and a fun read!

godsplat

[qualandar]

Nice poem. I like it.

[Sasha]

Nah-uh, I can't miss an ottava rima from you!
First, thank you for the link, I read Meadow's sonnet before and I just echo every word you said.
Stunning use of the form, and the I just love your choice of rhymed words, three rich stanzas full with wonderful images and appreciation.
The reader can't help but to cherish both of your work, and your mastery of classic forms.
Like I said on Meadow's work, I'll say it here: Exceptional work!

Sash

[continuation]

Don't know how I never stumbled across this before, Mick. But is was a simply breathtaking peice. Your talents never cease to amaze and this was no exception. Well deserved spotlight write if there ever was one. Hope you're well.
--Quin

[TripleP]

You had the perfect inspiration, and you did not disappoint! What a spectacular poem, filled with wonders that fill the senses.

[songofmeadow]

Hey Mick, I can't not comment! It moved me at the time and still does, more so mx

[everhopeful]

Thank you to everyone for commenting, and for the unexpected honour of the spotlight. I recommend that anyone who reads this should click the link to meadow's sonnet because it really was that wonderful.

Much love everyone,
Mick

[BarryC]

a superb piece of work-deserves the spotlight

[Ladywildalice]

Very elegant, lovely and so wonderful to read. A well deserving poem for the Spotlight. Congratulations. You are such a huge talent, and we are so lucky to have your influence, albeit less lately, in our lives. Thank you

[dornicks]

A read I enjoyed,despite not knowing it's inspiration. Some of the lines you've used are enviable and ,overall, it flowed well. A pleasure to read. Congratulations on the Spotlight,

dornicks

[Josie]

I agree with the N that a sonnet is a beautiful form, but it has limitations when the poet needs space to complete his or her poem. This was a very personal and heart felt response to songofmeadow regarding her outstanding poem. Congratulations on the TPS Spotlight.