Crown of Sonnets: Poetic Forms
Poetic Form Fridays are made to share various poetic forms. This week, we look at the crown of sonnets, a form that brings together seven sonnets in a special way.
OK, there are poetic challenges, and then, there are POETIC CHALLENGES! For instance, writing a six-line poem is one thing, but writing a sestina (39-line poem with six alternating end words) is another thing. This week's poetic form is a POETIC CHALLENGE!
The crown of sonnets (also known as a corona or coronet) is a sonnet sequence. Here are the guidelines:
- Seven sonnets
- The first line of each sonnet in the sequence should be the same as the last line of the sonnet that precedes it with...
- The final line of the seventh sonnet being the same as the opening line in the first sonnet (completing the circle or "crown")
- Optional: Some poets attempt this challenge with a goal of not repeating any rhyme sound once it's been used
Note on example poem: While I usually share an example poem for each form, I will not do so for this 98-liner. I have written a few attempts, but I don't see a need to inflict those forced rhymes on anyone.
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Play with poetic forms!
Poetic forms are fun poetic games, and this digital guide collects more than 100 poetic forms, including more established poetic forms (like sestinas and sonnets) and newer invented forms (like golden shovels and fibs).
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest, which includes managing the content on WritersDigest.com and programming virtual conferences. He's the author of 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers: Writing Ideas for Bending Stories in New Directions, The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets, Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming, and more. Also, he's the editor of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, and Guide to Literary Agents. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
