Today I am celebrating the first anniversary of the variation of the sonnet I created and named the Vaughanet. It makes some use of near or half rhyme (the first poet in the English language to use this was the metaphysical poet, Henry Vaughan) but its main innovation is that it has what normally is the final couplet coming after the first quatrain, in the 5th and 6th lines. At this time, I would like to introduce it to the greater online poetry community.
Commanders of the Realm
The irises that overlap the pond
in lavender with fringe at throats of white
sequester golden tongues that mute the sound
of lilies coaxing insects to alight
and crawl into their fragrance to ensure
another squad of irises next year.
We pass them as I row around the rock—
the otters will make foodstuff of their shoots;
the cranes that wade are feeding on the stock
that nestle in amongst tenacious roots.
The pickerel weed salutes our silent boat
as water lilies march along the sides
but irises stand regal like a coat
of arms that yet command nature presides.
© Marcy Jarvis
I named the Vaughanet (which rhymes with sonnet) after my maternal lineage of the Vaughan family who came over from Wales to Rhode Island in 1643. The slant rhyme in Commanders of the Realm can be found in pond/sound and year/ensure.
Furthermore, I have found that the couplet coming early on in the sonnet adds great potential for humor, as demonstrated below:
Hot on the Heels of Love
The theme of love has kept me on my toes
and racing towards its promising embrace.
I've had to use some crutches; now my nose
is running, icy footpaths...must retrace...
"For God's sake, take a load off, fool, slow down;
those aren't the only pair of boots you own!"
My chinese slippers were okay at first
but picked up several heel spurs on the way;
the pavement you must pound while chasing thirst
for love is hard on arches, I must say.
Hence graduated to a pair of Treks,
thence Birkenstocks lent hardier support
but if you ever saw my toes (what wrecks)
you wouldn't wonder at my foot's retort.
© Marcy Jarvis
(The slant rhyme here being found in down/own.)
Henry Vaughan, I want to make clear, did not write sonnets in this variation, but is credited with first using what is known as slant/near or half rhyme: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_rhyme
To read more of Vaughan, please refer to his page at: Oldpoetry
I hope you enjoy this variation of the sonnet known as the Vaughanet and let me know if you try it!
The Vaughanet is a variation of the sonnet that makes some use of slant rhyme and whose main innovation is having the heroic couplet early in the poem, after the first quatrain.
Add a comment
Comments
1 - 25 of 25
-
The Wreath and the Vaughanet
I'm now teaching the class on how to write both the "wreath" and the "Vaughanet" (rhymes with sonnet) which both evolved out of my interest in the Metaphysical poetry movement and two (of its seven) poets, George Herbert and Henry Vaughan. go here for class.
These two poets were unusual in the Metaphysical movement in that Vaughan read and was influenced by Herbert, whereas the other poets, like Donne, were not associated with each other, but had in common a love of style and wit.
The subsequent grouping together of these poets came later in history; the class briefly explores this, as well. And all for a little blue trophy.
-
I love both poems especially the beautiful first one.
-
-
Thank you, my friend.
-
-
With my muse (and health) still on an extended vacation, I doubt I'll try this any time soon, but I loved reading your poems and the informative explanation. This looks like it could be a really fun form to try...more potential for humor than the sonnet perhaps, plus I love slant rhyme. Thanks so much for sharing!
If I ever do try it, I'll be sure to let you know.
s
~J. -
-
Thank you, Trista. Nice to hear from you
-
-
Neat poem form!
Neat poem form! I definitely must try this. It's been a while since I tried my hand at sonnets, anyway, add I like the Vaughanet idea. Thank you for writing this and for demonstrating how it works. -
-
Thank you, let me know how it goes.
-
-
Thank you for this teaching. When I am feeling better, I'll give it a try.
Mac -
-
Thank you; I hope you're feeling better soon.
-
-
You are a most exceptional and talented poet, indeed! You make all of these work extremely well. In lesser hands it would be a disaster!
-
-
Thank you for the enthusiasm; that's high praise coming from you, Eusebius, but I don't doubt that anyone with an interest in the sonnet can enjoy experimenting with this.
-
-
I enjoyed the column a lot. Very informative. Sorry I didn't see it earlier.
-
-
Thank you, Cynney - and especially for championing this form in your 4th sonnet column last year: http://allpoetry.com/column/2345591 It gave me the push I needed to keep fooling with this...
-
-
This was fun to study out. I'll have to give it a try. I'll have to brush up on slant/near rhyme though. I like the way the couplet early could be used as a turning point or as bridge between two subjects or thoughts. I look forward to seeing where this could take me.
Thank you for the introduction and sharing some truly lovely pieces.
K
-
-
Thank you. You are most kind to promote the "wreath" on your author page and I look forward to seeing what you come up with for the Vaughanet next.
-
-
A very inventive and innovative variation on the sonnet, and one that I'll surely have to try, as the unexpected, premature couplet really does provide a great opportunity for a humorous subject matter, and a comical counterpoint to what at first might seem serious in tone.
-
-
Thanks, David. I'm glad you recognize its potential for humor and I look forward to seeing where you go with it.
-
-
Thanks for this, which I haven't heard of before - no doubt because of its originality.
The format gives the impression that the poet wrote a 6-liner, and then - inspired by its potential - went on to elaborate the theme in another 8 lines, creating a back-to-front sonnet.
And why not? Looks good! -
-
Thank you for the kind comment. Hope you give it a whirl.
-
-
I will try this thank you
-
-
Thank you, I hope you do!
-
-
A very interesting variation on the sonnet. I'm not totally convinced that the couplet coming after the opening quatrain quite works - maybe I need to get used to it - but I like the use of slant/half rhymes. I might try my hand at this variant form.
Cheers,
Bill -
-
I guess we'll have to try one in complete slant rhyme next, if we want to keep up with Miss Dickinson.
-
-
Very interesting. Although, I am so difficult, I would never figure it out on my own
Great work though, you have some wonderful poems here as well
-
-
Thanks for taking a look at this and for your kind comment.
-
Adding your comment:
1 - 25 of 25
