To Margaret Gibson – A Birthday Sonnet.
M any attempt the lofty sonnet heights to scale,
A iming for achievment in thwarted endeavour.
R hymed meter combines inspiration to sever,
G enerating frustration that leads them to fail.
A lmost seeming to gain effortless perfection
R igourously working to correct, line by line,
E ach carefully crafted iamb to realign,
T his poet is mistress of subtle inflection.
G odfearing, modest, never lacking commonsense,
I ntuitively reaching into depths profound,
B elieving and perceiving, through each sight and sound,
S igns of The Almighty Creator’s own presents.
O n this occasion, Margaret, I’d like to say:
N o one’s more deserving of a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Hugh Wyles, for December 11th. 2005.
Author notes
This is a French Sonnet, twelve syllables per line with rhyme-scheme abba cddc effe gg. Octave and sestet.
Judges and critics please note that the French are much more adventurous in using dactyls than Italians or English poets (or maybe they're just less careful?)
Thankyou Margaret for having an 8+6=14 letter name. Edna and I both wish you a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY with love and hugs, XXX.
Written November 22nd, 2005
In a list
A contest entry
- Birthday Bash For MargaretG! by Mari Goes.
800 points, ended December 8, 2005, 12 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 10 of 10
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Dear Yem,
I thought everybody knew that about Margaret but we never mention it because she writes good sonnets and pantoums.
Actually her feet are correct. It's the rest of her that goes the other way but they hope she'll come right when she gets to Ukraine and starts drinking vodka wearing snowshoes. -
I'm more deserving of a happy birthday...I like cake better than Margaret.
It's skilled and beautiful like always and to a very deserving lady.
There is one thing I found out about Margaret that disturbs me. I hope I'm not breaking a confidence but she told me her feet are backwards. Please don't tell her I told you that, but apparently her feet go in exactly the opposite direction of her body. Don't you find that strange? -
This is a wonderful Sonnet as usual. The irony is I usually write Acrostic Sonnets (Not nearly as good as yours) and when I completed mine to read others and found more acrostic sonnets I felt mine fit with everyone else's. You have a wonderful way with words that just seem to melt together so smoothly while one reads. when you put your iambs and meter together you make it look so easy. Again this is a beautiful Birthday poem for Margaret.
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Dear Margaret,
You are more than welcome,Your Highness.
Love and hugs and Happy 11/12. XXX Hugh. -
Dear Hugh, thank you for this acrostic sonnet on my name.
You must thank my parents for that choice, as I do. Happily, though they never thought of it, it is perfect for the Italian or French sonnet! 
I know that any kind of sonnet is an intricate form, luckily, my iambic muse seems to have a divine link. Thank you for these elegant birthday wishes, and kudos for a successful sonnet. 
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A wonderful tribute of friendship shown by a lovely birthday sonnet. Happy Birthday Margaret!
Well done Hugh...bravo!
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A wonderful accomplishment in form. I love the varied meter here. And beautifully said. Margaret is a special person and a skilled poet. You give a lovely tribute.
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Beautifully done...like I believe mine would have deterred you whatsoever...lol A wonderful and loving tribute to a kind soul...Best wishes in the contest..
Sam
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Dear Hugh, a wonderful Birthday Sonnet for Margaret (sweetpea)she is everything you say she is, and such a wonderful poet and friend. Beautiful my Friend. Happy Birthday to you sweetpea.
Love and hugs xxxxxxxxxx
Bea xxxxxxxx
Applause. -
Dear dad, the words you have here to describe our friend are very lovely and true. She makes sonnets and many other forms of poetry look very easy, while we know they are not
The depth of her thoughts amazes me each time I read her works.
We are very fortuned to have such a wonderful lady as friend!
Thanks for sharing with us this beautiful sonnet to celebrate her birthday!
Loves, de tu hija
Mari
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