A Thousand Thoughts........Wyleian Sonnet IV.
The magic tales of Araby are more than thousand-fold
Recited by Scheherezade to Sultan Shahryah
Who nightly spared her life because each ending was untold.
Endurance, wit and beauty still entrances from afar.
A face may launch a thousand ships but yet will win no wars,
For faces fire no bullets but the leaders who command
Religions are the bane of nations fighting for their mores
And innocents will perish in the cause for which they stand.
The Night may have a thousand eyes but yet it has no ears.
It neither hears the words I speak nor reads the words I pen.
Yea, though my pleas are muted and my vision blurred by tears
From godly conflict save this world oh God! I pray again.
But nights nor pleas nor magic tales nor beauty can compel
Religions which, while preaching peace, create an earthly Hell.
Hugh Wyles, July 31st.2004.
Author notes
And who said all sonnets MUST be in Iambic Pentameter?
Nogenreneeded and I decided we would try one in Iambic Heptameter, (i.e. seven feet to each line instead of five.)
We leave it to you to judge whether we succeeded or not.
Written August 1st, 2004
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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I love this tale, Hugh. It's been eons since I heard this story and this is a delightful version of it. And the rest of the poem is great, a lot of wisdom in them thar words.
You're a good poet, Hugh. It seems you get better with each poem, too. You outshine many of us on this site and keep us glued to the end of each piece you write.
love and
Dee
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My feet don't walk this way,
I am bow legged and walk on the outer edges of my feet! LOL. I will learn this iambic one day. Even in school I couldn't get it. What happens to tone deaf people is unexpalinable although I can carry a lyrical tune! 
This is a fun read, it almost makes me see the lady in the photo move. Great! Once I get it you will know! Thanks for sharing this extremely hard form as an example for all of us, the students who have yet to capture the essence of sonnets and iambic. I am not going to worry myself with it but I shall never give up the fight. Your work is excellent, but I am dumfounded at the the exactness of it all. 
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I liked this poem a lot, I liked it a lot. Great poem- keep up the good work
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Dear Pari,
I hope the alteration I've made assuages your concern. The trouble is that the "religious preachers" do not preach peace
when they incite jihad. The religions themselves, almost without exception, preach peace but the extremists appear to have misinterpreted their scriptures.
Love and hugs. XXX Hugh. -
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the tone is reflective like you have been sitting alone in the deep dark of night pondering on many things and have tried to capture your thoughts. It is only the religions I disagree with Hugh the poem is reflective and wise and caring and moving in its tone
religious preachers preaching peace create an earthly hell.
now that I agree with wholeheartedly. if only you could take the stress away from religion itself and show that it is the evil work of those who spread its message wrong.
In a way it does say so with
Religions which, while preaching peace, create an earthly Hell.
but it is so subtly done that readers would pick the word religion from that and not preaching.
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Dear Pari,
Thankyou for this erudite comment. I agree fully with everything you say. Unfortunately, those who incite to religious intolerance, extreme and "holy" warfare (jihad) are viewed by the uninformed (including the world media in many cases) as leaders of the religion in whose name they preach. Thus that religion, whose original tenets were peace, brotherhood and goodwill, becomes distorted by hate, vengeance, extreme intolerance and unrestricted violence.
I don't think my poem is at variance with what you have written or that what you write disagrees with the poem.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. Peace be with you. -
leave me out of the meters and feet please. You know how dumb I am on these things and go on to the content. I agree with you that many wars are fought on religion but I disagree with you that it is religion itself that says go fight a war.
The thing is that the easiest way to incite uninformed minds young and old to do what one wants is in the name of religion. If everyone would take the trouble to be informed and to be more open minded and understand religion first and foremost from the viewpoint of God being merciful and benevolent above all other things, people would then live in harmony and peace. But that is not so, it is easy for anyone who has ulterior motives to misrepresent and misinterpret religious teachings to such a height that they are able to lead people into any violent acts they wish. Whether it is the crusades of old or the constant religious riots in various countries, Ireland or india or Indonesia or pakistan or Nigeria or terrorrist groups like the Al Qaeda, all of it stems from lack of information and knowledge and understanding on one side which has been used by unscrupulous individuals posing as the care takers of religion itself to misinform and incite and propogate hate and violence for theri own benefit. I dont see how any of the violence has benefitted the religion itself. My advice would be for everyone to read the books themselves and understand the Mercy of God which is so abundantly clear in each and every religious book and not to be taken in by hate mongering individuals, to be more open minded and accepting and to live and let live.
I personally believe that I am what I am because of my own deep abiding faith and because I interpret the book of my religion believing in the Mercy and kindness of God above all things. that helps me to see straight more than anything else.
Edited on Aug 01, 6:54 p.m. because 'typos'. -
beautiful~
I don't put my opinion on any form either unless its Haiku & I still ask someone to read it before I post for correct syllable count, LOL, I love to read a Sonnet and I have wrote one so I know they are hard to do I have never heard of this type before but its beautiful
Glad to know you are keeping contact with one Susan
I have been in Louisville Ky since last Sunday with my mom who had a very rapid heartbeat just got home late Thurs I am still exhausted & she is doing better just awfully weak my son is staying with her during the night and days I am up there in and out
But I do promise to catch up sweets just give me a little time
Love you muchly
Susan~~~
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The success of your write lies in its passion - artfully crafted into your own form. It is rare that I see this strength of emotion in your writes and I applaud, though it may confuse the issue.
May your heartless nights hear and respond in kind. -
breathtakingly beautiful
Hugh.
You and Gen have written a beautiful Sonnet together, even though haven't got a clue on feet, Septa. all I know is that I love reading it very much. You are both working brilliantly together, so keep on bringing these beautiful Sonnets out for us to read.
Love and kisses to both of you~Joan
I've run out of applauses until after midnight so will be back then. -
I don't put my attention on the right form (unless I read haiku), so this sonnet was for me a very good read. Penta, septa or why not an octa, you two always present an enjoyable write!
The subject here was different and well succeeded in its imagery. You two don't stop that project of yours, and keep on bringing more delightful poems!
Kisses and love,
Mari
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Well Hugh -
Now one would think that having 2 more feet per line would make writing this a bit easier. Not a bit! this one was taxing of the brain (mostly yours), but in the end it works well and I think the message is a strong one. Like the others before this was great fun to write. we will see what the critics think of our bold step...
We make quite a team my friend!
Your forever Gen
Edited on Aug 01, 3:10 because ''.
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