Consider "life" -- one beat to say so much
of permanence and ambiguity;
the ray of light we desparately clutch,
a word that's humankind's eternity.
Deceptively, some words are short and sharp
and yet encompass meaning so profound
we feel their truth through mind and soul and heart:
the drop of water where all meaning's drowned.
Devoted poets scribble frantic lines
and try to capture more than just the word.
And is it futile? Can our simple rhymes
encapsulate a sound that's never heard?
Life and love, despair and hope and pain:
deceptive words, whose umplumbed depths remain.
Author notes
A shakespearian sonnet.
Written July 30th, 2005
What did you think
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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Not only did you do the sonnet justice
you posed a question that I am not sure can be answered (ever)I try to find it in all I read, at times I think the author and my mind have joined and i think I can hear that sound....however I am not sure if I can ever make someone else hear it , when I become the author. I have always been a serious observer of language and the power that it can have in a negative context....just wish it was the same in a positive way. or do we choose to hear the negativity first?????
reenie
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Terrific! Excellent, thought-provoking sonnet. So you do forms...and quite well, I might add! I think haiku is an excellent example of words conveying a depth of meaning far beyond the words used. Impressive write!
Lorena -
You make abstractions sound like a really deep mystery. I like the unstated futility in line 3. The question... can we truly elucidate the signified with the signifier?
This was quite cunning. I enjoyed it.
Mike -
Yes, can we ever capture and reproduce the wonders in us and around us with words, or with a paintbrush. There are insufficient words, and the words there are often do not have the music to express feelings correctly. Is a very clever sonnet you have written. Seems technically good to me , but I am no expert in these things, and you manage to find the words here okay
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A powerful intelligent write my fellow brit...well done with this incredbile write! x
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This is very neat, and it makes you think about how sometimes it's as if words do not manage to say all you want, of course this is even more poignant when your significant other is so far away, and nothing ever replaces totally the unspoken language of a hug, a kiss, a stare, a handgrip, a lean, where sometimes not many words are exchanged, but every sense is awoken, and beyond words two lovers can say so much even without the written or spoken language. Almost as if poetry is the bookmark of everflowing life. Delightful to read and I liked the sonnet form ~ Juanpa
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Enjoyed reading this, and found myself nodding in agreement. Especially the lines:
"And is it futile? Can our simple rhymes
encapsulate a sound that's never heard?"
We can only keep trying, like the artist painter, and the musician who all strive to mimic what we see/hear. If we could give the blind the gift of sight, in words, or to the deaf, the gift of hearing, then we truly would have achieved something.
Edited on Jul 31, 9:24 because ''. -
This piece made me really consider the power of words even the smallest remark can have the greatest impact.You have put your point across very subtly and cleverly.Top marks for this piece and boy am I going to watch my big mouth!
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Wow, truly wow! It's something I devote a lot of my time to wondering about, and reading a poem on it is just amazing, I saw the title and dived straight for it. This part would have to be my favourite: 'And is it futile? Can our simple rhymes / encapsulate a sound that's never heard?' It's like your poem says so much more than it does, I don't quite know how to explain it but you've captured something really well.
Sam. x -
"And is it futile? Can our simple rhymes
encapsulate a sound that's never heard?"
Absolutely true, that is what so many poets strive for... and some aren't even aware of it. It really is difficult to describe our true goal... because even though we use many words, its a feeling we are trying to evoke that there is no true word for. I absolutely loved this, it was excellent, and pure. -
this is lovely and so true. its strange how such small words can affect sometimes, without you realising until its too late. well done. luv pand xx
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This is a great write with much truth being stated, just as you talked about some words being short but packs a profound meaning! Words are so powerful to say the least. Thanks for sharing yours
ICUlookn -
Excellent!
I love how it is set up like a sonnet! I love English and American literature studies, and to me, this resembles some of the best work that I have read. -
BRILL!
Hi Jo, I must say i love this poem!
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