While spring turns into lazy summer days
the words of independence drip on lips
and hands of pride move rightly on to hips
reminding us with banners and displays.
And as our anthem in the background plays,
a child with eyes wide open hears its tune
and heritage breathes in what it conveys
like lemonade in early afternoon.
The celebration soon to hit each town
reminds us with nostalgia of things passed;
of soldiers brave who led to liberty,
and tearful eyes recalling with a frown.
The softer joys of fishing lines are cast
with easy sway as freedom will decree
foundation's words that one cannot eclipse
as pride remembers why we raise our flag.
Such liberties are not set there to brag
or boast of more to foreign sailing ships
but more why freedom’s solid harness grips
and voice is let to sing without a gag.
Its worth cannot be deemed on a price tag
or bartered for a stack of gambling chips.
This sparkling celebration we express
reveals ideals of where our base is laid.
Those stars and stripes that signify our land
are treasured as a mother's soft caress
as people march in unified parade;
one nation, indivisible in hand.
Author notes
Rhyme: abbaacac defdefbg gbbggbhi jhij
Genre: double sonnet
In a list
A contest entry
- The American Dream Winklings Contest #98 by Lyndon.
8000 points, ended August 5, 2008, 21 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - November Rounds by CitrineSunrise.
700 points, ended November 12, 2008, 16 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
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Beautifu!
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Thank you.
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Beautiful and stirring. I enjoyed reading this very much. Thank you, and thanks to the person who pointed it out to us.
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Thank you for popping by to read. I am pleased you enjoyed this piece. ~Pamela
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Wow. This is amazing!! I absolutely love poetry that is written in honor of our nations and our brave soldiers. Excellent tribute to all of the above. I think that way too often we don't show our appreciation for the sacrifices that they make and this is an excellent way to do that and to let them know that we pray for them and can't wait for them all to return safely. I love the background too. I think it fits the poem perfectly. Wonderful job!!
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Thank you so much for popping by and reading. I am so pleased you enjoyed this sonnet. Ahh, the ideals of the founding fathers - there are times when we truly need the nostalgic memory. Thank you for such a lovely comment. Very much appreciated. ~Pamela
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Suicide in the Trenches
I knew a simple soldier boy
Who grinned at life in empty joy,
Slept soundly through the lonesome dark,
And whistled early with the lark.
In winter trenches, cowed and glum,
With crumps and lice and lack of rum,
He put a bullet through his brain.
No one spoke of him again.
You smug-faced crowds with kindling eye
Who cheer when soldier lads march by,
Sneak home and pray you'll never know
The hell where youth and laughter go.
Siegfied Sassoon
He served in the trenches in WW1
was committed to a mental hospital when he criticized the war.
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Wow. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful poem. It is true, there is no glory in war and to be committed to a mental hospital because of objection to war goes against the ideals the sonnet I wrote clearly speaks of.
If only our ideals could be reality ...
but that,dear sir, is another poem.
Thank you for popping by and sharing. Much much appreciated. ~Pamela
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Thanks for sharingyour words with us. This was most beautiful. We must always remember: "Freedom is not free" There is a big price to pay for it. May God bless all who serve, have served, and died serving.
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Thank you for reading and for leaving such kind comments. I am pleased you enjoyed this one. ~Pamela
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Profoundly moving....
As a veteran of Desert Storm, this double sonnet brought me to tears. I want to highlight this one. I forgot how to do that. I love how the background is just as beautifully done as the poetry. If you do publish another book of poetry, I'd love to see this included. It touched the heart of this veteran most profoundly.
Don
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Don, Thank you so much. Sometimes, I think we forget the ideals that were those of our founding fathers. I was proud to write this piece and am very pleased it has touched you so.
Thank you. ~Pamela
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I find it interesting that as I read more poetry I become familiar with the style and accomplishment of certain authors. This work typifies your graceful writing and ability to find new images in our everyday lives. I am pleased you are participating in this contest and look forward to your entry in the next round. Peace, Liz
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Thank you Liz. I am honored to be moving to the next round. Thank you so much. ~Pamela
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wonderful poetry in end rhyme; very rhythmic and the words seemed to rise to a crescendo of patriotic celebration, so much more remarkable because of this very demanding pattern in the form, I think this is excellent...PK
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Thank you so much. It is a complicated form but fit the subject matter. I am so pleased for your wonderful comment here. Thank you my poetic friend. Thank you. ~Pamela
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I'm impressed! I would not by any means call
myself an authority on Sonnets, but I do know
when something written flows without a hitch.
Then too, the perspective here...
you give a gentle but clear reminder that these
symbols we hold dear are to pay tribute to a
dream; not ego. Very much enjoyed. Blue -
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Blue
Thank you so much for your kind words and the honor of gold. I am truly humbled as I am proud of my heritage and what America truly stands for. Thank you so much. ~Pamela
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nice form used in this write. Very patriotic and great images presented within the poem. Thanks for sharing and good luck in the contest.
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ckwriter69
Thank you so much. I am a true believer in the foundation of our country and am so pleased you enjoyed this sonnet. Thank you again. ~Pamela
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Excellent
What a fantastic creation. Great use of form. Best of luck in the contest
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penman
Thank you so much. I am pleased you enjoyed this one and so glad to see your comment on my work. ~Pamela
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Like lemonade in early afternoon! That line just says it all. Well done here very well done!!!
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Swan Song
Jeff, thank you so much. Yes, like lemonade in early afternoon. Thank you my friend. I am so pleased you enjoyed this one. ~Pamela
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My friend
I have awakened my patriotic spirit with this piece! absolutely wonderful read from start to finish, and right on time when we all could use some positivity in our lives!!
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Richard
Thank you so much. I am pleased you enjoyed this sonnet. I did enjoy writing it. Thank you again. Always a pleasure to see your words on my verse. ~Pamela
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Outstanding work
I stand and applaude you, this was so wonderful I can hardly express through words,
May we all take notice of the words written within this page. As we had towards the fourth of July.
Outstanding work My Dear Pam outstanding,
Warm thoughts.
Frozentearz
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Frozentearz
For you, I know this poem hit home. Thank you so much for taking a moment to read and leave your wonderful comments. I appreciate it so much. ~Pamela
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even without the form, i stand in awe... what a masterpiece this is, but add a double sonnet??? WOW!
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going nowhere
Thank you my friend. I am always so pleased to see your comments of approval on my work. Thank you so much. ~Pamela
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This is a masterful poem filled with patriotism and good old American pride... A gloriuos [sp?] write and right ontime for our Independence Day celebrations!!! I'm impressed with your skill here!!!
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Ithica
Thank you my friend. I did enjoy writing this double sonnet. It comes from my true belief in the American Dream. Thank you so much for reading and leaving your wonderful comment. Thank you. ~Pamela
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Yep. You've done ...
a good job here. It requires a lot of effort to write one of these, as I know well.
Congratulations on a job well done.
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Jim
Thank you so much. I am so pleased you enjoyed this one. Thank you so much. ~Pamela
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What can I say but wonderful...
...I tried hard to find at least one grammatical error but to no avail. This is a splendid poem, majestically written in that form. I admire that, in fact I am flabbergasted; it is so clever.
It is also very patriotic and heart stirring, and 'treasured as a mother's soft caress,' with words we all know and understand.
Congratulations on a real work of art.
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Richard
Thank you so much my friend for your wonderful comment on this piece. I appreciate it so much. ~Pamela
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I absolute love this!,very patriotic and im glad to see some patriotism,more Americans should be patriotic and be proud of their country,a great read,Hazel
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Scottish Princess
Thank you so very much for your kind and wonderful comment on this poem. I do appreciate it so much. Thank you again. ~Pamela
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Very American!
Nice work just in time for the patriotic holidays with Flag Day and Independence Day. There are times I like poetry that does not rhyme. Good expressive work Pamela. THANKS AGAIN!!
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Patpowersnoshoepoet
Thank you so much for taking a moment to read and comment. I appreciate it very much. ~Pamela
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