Form Challenges #19
ALFRED DORN SONNET
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The Alfred Dorn sonnet originated in a Formalist publication contest.
Each year the Formalist runs a sonnet contest where the applicants make up their own form of sonnet.
The sonnet form is named after the winning applicant. In this case Alfred Dorn won and this type of
sonnet was named after him.
The Alfred Dorn sonnet has two sextets with a couplet in the center. The rhyme scheme is
" a. b. c. a. b. c... d. d... a. e. a. e. a. e.'
Obsession
As candles gently glow in amber light,
the picture centered high upon the wall,
appears to take a life form of its own.
Yet thoughts of her are stronger on this night.
He views her fleeting image in the hall,
as he sits drunk, contented, and alone.
He rises, sets the glass upon the sink.
She appears only when he takes a drink.
Still drawn to her fair, luminescent sight,
he stumbles through the hall, to hesitate;
then tremble, as his body chokes with fright,
to see her form begin to levitate,
sprout angel's wings, then suddenly take flight,
while he remains to curse the hand of fate.
Tamara Beryl Latham, c 2003
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The Dorn Sonnet Challenge Posts....Contents
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Angel of Shadows
Moon-silk and Willow
'Neath shaded wisdom of old willow tree,
earth mother's tears taste of happiness found.
His sentient presence with love bestowed,
in mist, her warrior, on bended knee.
This union a gift, upon hallowed ground;
sacred, the tree, from seeds they have sewed.
Willow, blessed be their magical tryst
Lift your misty veil that she may be kissed
Moon-silk enchanting, their spirits dance free,
from misty-dew lips, this valley now sings.
His journey was long, from battles at sea
but angel-love flows through magical wings.
Time engraved their names on the willow tree,
this ancient love soars above many things.
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Dulcinea
One Way Street
One way streets twist my tortured soul
turning in circles, lost; confused.
Was that the street I needed? NO
it went the opposite way! Foul!
No fair! I am SO not amused!
A sadist designed this cruel road!
PANIC! as I go round and round,
Signs pointing but no exit found.
Should I pull over and scowl?
Just keep going until the dawn?
Oh, what to do, throw in the towel?
My mind spent, stifling a yawn
I keep going, but want to howl
Someone get me out of this town!
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Lori Martin
Inspiration
November paints with somber hue
to mute October’s splashed abstract.
Whistling Winter waits in the wings
with his palette of white and blue,
slight blush of rose used to distract,
pay tribute to his mistress Spring.
Sparrows chirp softly in the eaves,
field mice burrow ‘neath crisp leaves.
Frost merrily sculpts midnight dew,
Moon laces trees with silverspun;
Dawn’s entranced by magical view
as intricate beauty greets the Sun.
A wash of gold begins anew
while Nature strives to inspire one.
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Guinevere
Perfume of a heart
Mixed internally with fragments of belief,
tempting and alluring in crystal purity,
the perfume of a heart remains a mystery.
Bottled and preserved in the fragility of grief
and hidden in the mess of life's complexity
alone it stands awaiting manifested energy.
The scent of womanhood powerful in air
boards each day the train to stations of nowhere.
Once a dreamer; how it travelled in search of relief
across the plains, reality, into twilight time.
Now the residue grown thick with disbelief
germinates and sprouts in shadows of the night
a stranger to the truth and the missing cloverleaf
on stems of life and living in this present time.
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Leny Roovers
Gold-drifts
In drifts of gold, wind’s breath undresses trees,
with playful gusts the fiery veils are torn;
like snowflakes floating gently to the floor.
The carpet thickens, rustles, softly pleads,
as heaps of red and auburn down adorn
the burrowed feet with flocks of leaves galore.
In silhouetted starkness standing proud-
raised arms wave mute goodbyes to swirling clouds.
A heady fragrance, carried on the breeze,
is tickling nose and skin to come alive;
as sudden bursts of gold dust tease a sneeze-
my head is cleared from joy impairing drive.
The seasons dance a graceful, slow reprise,
while naked trees in wintry sleep survive.
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Water guns
A thousand little feet thump on the tiles,
an army marches on - it's armed with rain!
the tiny soldiers carry water guns
and every time they aim I sense their smiles;
as bullets splash against the windowpanes,
I hear a tinkling laugh - it must be fun!
The empty guns are filled at raining taps,
on every soaking hit, sound bursts of claps.
All night the game goes on and runners file
while sleeplessly I sigh without relief;
the weather gods conceded to their wiles
and streets resemble rivers - no reprieve.
As leaves drip tears of laughter, water piles;
Dawn yawns, wakes up and blinks in disbelief.
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Lorraine
Embrace Me Once More
Once more I feel your hands upon my own
This cherished moment fills empty spaces
Between my emotions naked branches
I see you clearly, yet I am alone
In dark of night I miss your embraces
Severed from your touch and loving glances
Our hands were never to be apart
I've traced and sculptured yours into my heart
Lonely without you I am cold as stone
I know my love you shall never return
What pleasures from your caresses I've known
How can tomorrow satisfy my yearn
As I search for you everywhere I roam
I see embers of our love that still burn.
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Snowglobe
I see the snow falling within the glass
A picture perfect scene glued together
Where children stand alike statues frozen
Watching snowflakes remain upon faux grass
Same forecast each day no change in weather
In the background each character chosen
When turned upside down it does not matter
No one looks any slimmer or fatter
See Santa waving his bell made of brass
As children skate around a Christmas tree
Vendors on sidewalks sell their homemade crafts
I marvel at the details so tiny
Inside a setting where time does not pass
Winter’s beauty encased in fantasy.
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Rhianon
A Very Fishy Tail
Two cool souls on a very hot day
went swimming in the ocean bay,
round and round like goldfish
in a bowl or Goldfish pond.
No other soul or sole around,
no floundering Flounder to be found.
No Blue Grenadier or Halibut
there,to nip them in the butt.
In frivolous frenzied frivolity
slipp'd off their cossies in the sea.
Two spotters in a shark alert 'plane,
saw them floating in the rolling main.
"Hey, mate, them's not Sharks, nor Whale,
what a lark, what a whale of a tale."
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Terry Clitheroe
Duende
Your love and beauty move me to tears.
We are so full of life which is so temporary.
It is not unhappiness that makes me weep
We understand the stupidity of my fears
Though our times are tempered by mortality
There are promises we are bound to keep.
I weep, but listen, it is not through sorrow,
Otherwise I ask, why would I seek the morrow?
A soul has energy which it builds through years
It is this power that causes tears to flow
And as we climb up through Nirvanas tiers
We can see love as well as our spirits grow
And with each rebirth I find you my dear
We'll find even with eternity time will not slow.
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Jealousy (Variation)
I'm jealous of midnight's moon glow
Its soft rays kiss you while you sleep
In absentia I wish each one from me
I wish I were there beside you now
As the hours so slowly forward creep
And those languid eyes I long to see.
Those balmy days when we were close
Make me resent midnight's moon glow
I'm jealous of the night skies closeness
For my fingers ache to touch your face.
It's day here and I must be dreamless
But in my distant bed, memories race
And I remember our nightly nearness.
I'm jealous as the moon takes my place.
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My loss
The morning sun, still rises again
I hear the birds sing their song
See the bushes waving in the breeze.
Feel the soft warm drops of rain
Yet somehow, it all feels wrong
Because Nature ignores my pleas.
Reluctantly I begin another day
For time and tide cause me to go away
The evening mist soothes the night
The moon shines above the trees
And twilight sets the stars alight.
Why must fate constantly tease
By stealing away what is right
And bringing me to my knees?
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A touch of peace from a forest pool
See the sunrays flickering through
In the soft, silent lush green forest
With sprinkling pillars of golden air
And insects like smoke invade the view
Then disappear like any Will O Wisp
Leaving the pool to the morning glare.
Lily-pad laden borders fingers spread
Blooms tint the pool from white to red.
Mist shrouded fern and grass with dew
Are silent as night life goes to sleep.
The next shift needs takes on a life anew
So for a while there is a silence deep.
And peace reigns here in this bayou
As beast and plant this balance keep.
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To taste your essence
To taste your essence on my lips
I sense your spirit in the wind
Requires me to make no excuses.
I feel you now at my fingertips
And see you smiling in my mind
Oh such passioned flowing juices!
Your trembles to my touch say please
A passionate clutch forbids me tease.
I am the bee and honey drips
So sweet a special nest doth grow
The heavenly dust of passion grips
The white hot heat of Heavens snow
A love drug giving me such trips
And after leaves us both aglow.
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