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Diaspora Italian Sonnet for Pope Jean Paul II

Missing image
by ~Gregg Rowe~

Pope Paul the First after thirty three days died
Then you enter the world stage – capture hearts young
And old – - becoming our spiritual guide.

The Church you divide with your sharp-witted tongue:
And brought down Communism, kissed one hundred
And forty airport tarmacs -- songs of peace sung.

Made amendments to issues that were plundered
Historically – set free flocks of white doves --
Your faithful pilgrimage is now left wondered:

Will the next Pope be so forceful and help shove
The issues of humanity that plague earth?
Cue jump, Sainthood, J P Two, it’s you we love!

Your legacy, your papacy is now worth,
Testament of six million grieving in mirth.

 

Author notes

Diaspora or the Terza Rima and an Italian Sonnet:  The lines are actually 11 syllables each, a true Italian Sonnet line and there are fourteen lines.  This is a combination of two traditional forms that can be found in poetry books.

J P Two, it’s you we love
The chant from the audience in Toronto upon his visit for the Youth where 500,000 braved rain to see this icon at World Youth Day.

Written April 8th, 2005

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Comments

1 - 6 of 6
  • -Lost Words-
    May 12, 2005
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    I'm not a Christian or whater, nothing, really, but this is a nice poem...

    Amaris


  • lordoftherings gold member
    April 8, 2005
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    Hugh:

    Playing the devil's avocate here there is the magic word that some of us strive to avoid when we know the rules: TRADITIONALLY -- But I will continue to work on this one because it is not finished yet, I have more stanzas to add. PS: Perhaps my second one is more to what you are saying that I just penned after this one. (I am in a course that I HAVE TO WRITE, that is why I am on a roll--and yes, they are not all perfect right away, I am not that concieted as a poet).

    Gregg
    Edited on Apr 08, 5:34 p.m. because ''.


  • hugh wyles silver member
    April 8, 2005
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    Dear Gregg,
    What you say is, of course, not incorrect. Whether in Terza Rima or Quatrain format, the opening line (traditionally in iambic pentameter) must be followed consistently throughout the sonnet and have five Iambic feet to each line (allowing anapaests where applicable). At no stage should two consecutive stressed syllables occur.
    I will be interested to see your further working.
    Regards, Hugh.

  • lordoftherings gold member
    April 8, 2005
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    Hugh:

    Thanks for the critique on my Terza Rima Italian Sonnet: I think I missed writing it correctly and this could be causing the confusion. What I meant to write is that in the beginning when Italian Sonnets were penned, most of them were penned with 11 syllables per line. The Terza Rima is a form of a Sonnet and the stresses and syllables vary but whatever is chosen as the beginning line must be consistent throughtout the rest of the poem. I think clearly I have accomplished that in my scansion as I read it. Another point, is that it is sometimes difficult to achieve a high calibre flow with a Terza Rima (something which I continue to practice) because of it's three lines and rhyme scheme instead of the quatrain which creats a better flow--two lines juxtaposed next to one another is easier on the eye in rhyme than three lines broken up like in the Rima. I see where the poem faults in some areas of this and will look to see if I can improve it, but one must look at the form as a combination of two forms and not each one separately. Does that make sense?

    Gregg

  • hugh wyles silver member
    April 8, 2005
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    Dear Gregg,
    Since, as a Feemason, we are to abstain from argument or discussion relating to religion or politics, I will not comment on the content of your sonnet except to say that
    this is a fine example of studiously counting the number of syllables to each line without proper regard to where the stresses fall. Thus, there is not the smoothness and liquidity of flow for which Petrarch and the Italian sonneteers (of course, in their native tongue) were notable.
    The correctness of syllable count or number of lines alone does not create a 'true' Italian Sonnet or Sonnet line.
    Sorry, I hope my opinion doesn't offend.
    Regards and best wishes, Hugh.

  • pozo
    April 8, 2005
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    Wow, this is a great write which I liked a lot Keep writing, this was a great tribute to a great man I loved this
    All the best,
    Pozo

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