Terza Rima Sonnet - "LIBERATION"

[Shelley Hansen]

Greetings All!

In my meanderings through poetry forms and structures, I've discovered another sonnet form - the terza rima sonnet. It is Italian, dating from the 14th Century.

Like all sonnets, it is 14 lines long. The first 12 lines are divided into 4 verses of 3 lines each, with interlocking rhyme aba, bcb, cdc, etc. The sonnet finishes with a two-line rhyming couplet. It is written in iambic pentameter (5 pairs of syllables per line with the stress falling on the second syllable of each pair).

Italian poet Dante and English poet Chaucer both specialised in the terza rima format, which can also be employed in longer poems.

So I thought I'd have a go ...

LIBERATION
(c) Shelley Hansen 2021

The curlew's cry resounds, forlorn and loud,
while underfoot the leafy ground is dry
and from each step awakes a dust-filled cloud.

Grey ashy soot obliterates the sky
as far away, across the gasping plain
there comes the scent of burning from on high.

No river blocks its path. No hint of rain
to quench the sparks that dance on hilltop crest.
The plague of death advances like a stain.

Then swiftly on the mountains in the west
a jagged bolt illuminates the gloom!
The stormy army marches on its quest.

The thunder drums of liberation boom -
the land is rescued from the threat of doom.

[Ron]

Ah yes! well done Shelley, you certainly are the master of the sonnet! Not only in verse but in the research side too!
A great poem with a profound story line. A pleasure to read, thank you.
Cheers
Ron

[Shelley Hansen]

Thank you for your kind words, Ron. It has been fun finding out about these fascinating poetry formats.

Cheers
Shelley