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Australian Sonnet (Bowlesian Sonnet)
William Lisle Bowles (24 September 1762 - 7 April 1850) was the undoubted
originator of this sonnet form in England. He was a high ranking minister in the Church of England, and
although it was popular for a while it settled into obscurity, meanwhile admirers of his poetry were setting
out as missionaries to the colonies. Whilst Canada was a colony it might be suggested that it was less in need
of religious supervision than the penal colony of Australia and the Aussie outback which was the ideal breeding
ground for poets and poetry. Back in the towns the clergy would no doubt recite Bowles poetry and people would
be far more influenced by his sonnets than his longer forms. Later the ladies of the church group would
no doubt recite their version of that poem and again no doubt the budding Banjo, or Lawson would play with
this form and in copying their Northern counterpart send messages of love to their women back in the towns
and villages, and in due time the origin of this form would be forgotten, until one day a curious poet
picked up a tatty book of poetry dated 1903 and saw several sonnets there all unique in form and two
handwritten sonnets in the back dated 1914. It is assumed that the owner of the book died in the Great
War.
This sonnet form has three Envelope quatrains and a couplet, which gives a rhyme sequence of;
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Contents
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Maryse AchongHow casually we regard life and think That we are entitled to the good things That are sent our way; but all these blessings Could easily vanish in the mere blink Of an eye. We just have to look around To see the proof of it, it's everywhere; Still we go on as if we do not care. We ignore the disasters that surround Us, once our little world remains intact. Too selfish, cold, to feel another's pain We turn a blind eye or perhaps we feign Concern. That is reality, cold fact. Without love in this world we are all lost, Are we prepared to pay so high a cost? back to list |
Jem FarmerAs Stars Reflect  Above me hangs the winter's moon of blue she's gazing out across the midnight sky to bring a kiss to greet my lover's sigh and whisper softly of my love for you And when the bells begin to chime the end of time; the old is done, and new begun I wish aloud that you and I be one on lunar magic I shall now depend. I wish you were here with me tonight but dreams of love now seem so far away my tears return to greet the New Year's Day and close my eyes beneath the moon's pale light. I prey you look upon the sky above for one moment as stars reflect my love. -----  Love, I Dare (Iambic Dimeter) As waning sun shall close the day and stars betray my heart's undone. The quilted night, no solace brings, her voice ne'er sings to ease my plight. Yet, love, I dare to speak your name by candle flame and feel you there. I long for this one scented kiss. ----- Make Merry With My Heart Between the arches stands a burning flame A scarlet flare with subtle hints of blue Where dreams are traced and love divine is drew As all the sparking embers, spell a name. Behind carved locks I gaze into the orb, As mists of time, make merry with my heart The secret words are said and clouds depart My destiny I dare not yet absorb. Repeated questions asked of runes tonight, Then cards across the table, silence dealt Before the sacred altar where I'm knelt I pray to fate for even more insight. There is so much I want, I need to know As now I stand before love's portico. ----- Shakespeare's Dilema I know why Shakespeare could never compare His lovely maid to summer's finest day. There are no words a Bard can find to say, For you have shown my heart something so rare. As each aspect of you ignites my soul In flames that only love and passion see. There is no door or key to set me free, Ensnared by words I let my senses roll. I do not seek to find release, it's true, For love you make my humble life complete And lead me here where only lovers meet, Each time you take my hand to dance with you. As we allow our bond to now evolve In love there's no equation left to solve. ----- Thief of Night So wild and still, my dreams are coming home, And like a thief of night my love collects Where ardent fantasies of thought project And sleep no longer; love has come to roam. A pixie cannot sleep alone each night As now the heart is burned by lover's kiss And dreams have turned to this empty abyss The way she sparked my soul; a beacon light. Alone there is no air or room to breathe, The ashened walls of night are closing in As bracing scars of love are etched on skin When senses cover blades in silken sheathe. My love, the thief of night, can drink her fill The huntress takes my heart, now wild and shrill. back to list |
Divena CollinsWhilst in Australasia ye, my bonnie wee lad, Proudly wore yer kilt, wi` a lass in yer arms Twas of Australian tartan frae Scottish farms, With a sporren oot front, tae hide all ye had, There wisnae a finer laird, in all O` ozzy land, In war ye fought wi yer claymore and shield Wi valiant courage in Australias battle field Havin` a lilt tae yer kilt, in a Scots guard band, Your coat full` o` medals pinned tae yer chest, A braver warrior, wouldst be hard put tae find, Ye Kilty Australasian yer just wan O` a kind, And tack it frae me, you are wan O` the best, Thee tartan clad soldier wi` valour an` zest Proudly wearin` yer kilt pinned tae yer vest.  ----- Elfin Wood Hall There is a party tonight, down at Elfin Wood Hall To celebrate the events of this New Years Eve, Thro` sweet wild brambles, by snow covered leaves, Just knock twice at the door, when you come to call, There is lots of red berries, and loads of nuts, With some Crab apple cider, to wash it all down. Wild life that dwell on the edge of the town, Shall indulge, from the shiniest, of wild acorn cups. Just bring a large flagon, and a lump of coal, There`s a welcome for sure at Elfin Wood Hall, This New years Eve they are having a ball, By the bunch of wild leaves of burnished gold Just knock the door, to come in from the cold, Two rabbits, and a mole, hopped into the fold.  ----- Mystic Moon Spiritual fantasies. by shadow of a blue moon, High Priestess chants rituals, `neath moons light Beckoned spirits of love, to enter this night, In a magical, tempting, rhythmic, bardic tune She hath sensual, powers with her pagan chant, Luring, enticing, souls of lovers to arise, `Neath this mystic moon, from the darkened skies, A blue moon, holds this power, to enchant, In mystified daze, she chanted and danced Awaiting visions, of her lost love`s desire, From eternal magic flames, shalt then conspire, Here on earth, with visions of love enhanced. Entwined once again, through a spiritual trance Her lover hath returned, for eternal romance.  ----- Once In A Blue Moon Ancient times of myths, mystic moons, and folklore, When the moon ruled,the ebb and flow of seas, Like today in strong winds, or vibrant breeze, With strong currents, that stir the deep sea floor. Once, and only once, when this moon shaded blue, Strange things happen, in void of the deep, And high the tides rise with an internal sweep, Mystical happenings, under blue waters construe, Lost Cities arise, and take place on the shoreline, Shipwrecks surface, set sail, covered in grime, Eaten with rust, from the salt sea and brine, From deep murky waters, in darkness and gloom, Visions of fantasy, in our mind they may bloom, And then, only then, `neath a shaded blue moon.  ----- Spirits Of Love How doth we knoweth if this, our love, shalt be true, Hast there not been a moment, we both hath known, With the passing of time, these feelings hast grown, Incarnate spirits, once again, hast returned anew. A love which hast been proven thro`tests of time, With a passion that hast lingered on thro`the ages Returned once again, to restore, thy olde pages Of love thro`the past, `tis back to now, in it`s prime. But true love, shalt ne`er, have cruel words spoken For a love that is true, shall ne`er runneth smoothe. But to givest and taketh, to comfort and soothe, Thy words art kinder, thus to be said unprovoken, Passionate love with feeling, shalt be softspoken, So thus, thy circle of love, shalt ne`er be broken.  ----- Comparison of Two Sonnets Eternal Love (Australian) My Love for thee shall cherish here within. For I shall sorely weep if we should part. Thou dwell so deeply engraved in my heart, Thus spiritual gifts of love remain therein. We did but know, we were always together, At last we have found a true love once more, This feeling so strong has been here before We both vowed this love shalt be forever. Cherished love within an angels prayer Which had in the beginning without an end. Not only lovers but two greatest friends There`s not a thing this life can compare. These spiritual feelings shalt always remain, Eternal lovers now both belong once again.  Eternal Love (Shakespeare) My Love for thee, shall cherish here within. For I shall sorely weep if we should part. Thus spiritual gifts of love, remain therein. Thou dwell so deeply, engraved in my heart. We did but know, we were always together, At last we've found true love once more. We both vowed, this love shall be forever. This feeling so strong has been here before. Cherished love within an angels prayer Which had in the beginning without an end. There's not a thing this life can compare Not only lovers, but two greatest friends These spiritual feelings shalt always remain, Eternal lovers, now both belong, once again. back to list |
Ryter Roethical The moon is ne'r bluer than when yer heart is broke Everything is a memory, everything is pain All you want is your lover tae come back again Proving that any time apart is ne'r a joke. You lose yer sense o' smell, yer sense o' taste Times sense slows down, everything takes forever Yet when ye talk for a while on the web, it's never Enough time because there is so much to waste. Reverse yer psychology an only speak when ye must That way 'twill drag the time ye spend chatting And very soon ye will hae talked all morning Or whatever time ye think is rightly just. Ye cannae walk away now, she has yer soul And without her you can never be whole. ----- Indigo Scenes  See blue butterflies flying from the blue moon To say they're hordes or swarms would be unjust A crowd too cruel; more like a glorious gust, Blown by a heavenly wind that will end too soon. The mood is set the sky is blue, but tis day Though we have little time to wait til death Tis no problem at all to hold one's breath When night appears with her unique display. The redness has gone it's dark for just a while Except the stars suddenly have all turned blue The celebrity of the night comes into view That indigo scene makes it all worthwhile. And in the blue light of this night all is still It always was and no doubt always will. ----- Nature of Spring  I sigh as I watch life cycling past me The sound of life around brings back memories Of seasons, and plants and birds and their melodies Of how they came and went and now cease to be. Spring brings forth new life of plant and being The cold mornings making the way for day And in the sun you see new life at play Like young chicks not ready yet for the wing. Budding plants throw out tender fibrous shoots A wondrous scent pervades all wooded land, In watching see all forms of life expand And all types of plant life push out new roots. The competition is now on to attract, Reproduce or die, is a matter of fact. ----- Questions 2009  How much can I remember about last year There were some ideas lost and some took up Mostly it was sipping slowly out of my cup Financial gains whilst down, I had no fear. My work controlled my life and little of me But I controlled my work so my life was free, And my social life was based around poetry So that in turn kept me very happy. It's now the end of two thousand and nine Again we ask what will this year be like And pray in no way will they be alike But then realise its all one heavenly design Is there one faculty responsible for our Earth Is there a syllabus responsible for our birth? ----- Vientos Justos (Fair Winds)  Fair winds and good fortune beckons us all But things we see around are images, no more The relentless sea a mere drop upon the shore. When love in her glory finally makes her call. The soul is the vessel with which love doth haul Sailing on the seas which life in constant pours Fair winds like storm, or calm, just other doors Doors which once opened there is no recall. We make each life, each love a port of call Not just a journey in life, a reason to explore Meeting for a long time, always wishing more A constant search each life in fates dark hall. Sometimes like this one our time will be so small But together for Eternity when comes that call. ----- Vuélvame  Sitting in my chair on this white sandy beach Looking at the orange sky of the setting sun Inside's a need for my lover and what'd begun But now she's far away well out of reach. Remembering all the kisses and things we'd done, Although my heart aches, I think I understand Things were perfect, better than we had planned, Happiness was the rule and we had so much fun. The water rushes in and out greeting my hand And the nesting birds are calling to one another. The sun settles more as the night starts to gather A whispering breeze is saying "I understand". In just a few long months we'll meet once again Then we'll find what new heights love can attain. ----- Xerophilous Gardens  There are no fair winds this time of year The ones from north bring nought but heat And the southerlies are pleasant to greet But short lived when they do appear, Especially when they bring us rain. There once was a time, every fifth day When rain would come and we would say "Look! See! It's bloody raining once again". Oh to moan and whinge about a shower, To see a fall that used to last all day, That type of weather has gone away, Instead we're happy if it lasts an hour. Most once full dams are down to nought As we enter our eighth year of draught. -----  Unfinished Love When lovers part for a while love's not finished Although the moon is blue it's not the end And with each new life that love extends, For love is like an endless piece of thread. Lovers must part for a while when death calls "La grande extase", the halls where we must wait Until we are called according to fate And then with luck we meet in newer halls. There we must flirt and court and win again Restarting a cycle of love of so many years, Learning through new fears, and so many tears. If only we could remember about a previous then. The love we have is not of today or yesterday But something created by all of eternity. back to list |
Nia WynneThe words are there but just get blown away, Everyday is a rare opal gem, Pebbling a beach that now, we condemn As each day is swept out like stones of clay. What is left are the shadows we once saw Together, now apart by three long weeks, Though seldom do stories tell what tears speak. Blue moon of fable and lore's we draw. So here the poet in me seeks release For peace of mind shouldn't be a blue moon, Love then stays when sad songs end none too soon And friends in less rare moments bring back peace . So hope is found on shores ne'er to cease With words that show the world love shan't decrease.  back to list |
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