Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Paper Jam

Sonnet geekiness: This is a hybrid rhyme scheme-- call it a Spenserian/Italian sonnet. (Spenser wouldn't have liked it, methinks).

abab bcbc

So far it's standard Spenserian-- but now it changes to a standard Italian sestet, but carries the c rhyme from the octave:

cde ecd

The aftermath of ticker-tape parades:
confetti snow, a multicolored flurry
coating sidewalks, piled on promenades
dissolving into grey and sodden slurry.
Is it the print, or have my eyes gone blurry?
Rain leaves streets awash in vibrant ink,
the colors flee in an unseemly hurry
vanished in the time it takes to blink,
gone down the drain. As if the sewers drink
a multi-hued celebratory dram
to mark whatever was the grand occasion—
wedding, birth or death or coronation—
here’s my plan. Next holiday, I think
we’ll make our festive toast with paper jam.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It could be a variation on a Petrarchan sonnet, or it could be a "nonce form." I love that particular term, which is applied to a form invented for use in a particular poem.

Very nice sonnet, whatever designation you opt to give it!

Andromeda Jazmon said...

I like the rhyme scheme you've developed. And I love the image of the rain washing away the rush of colors in the print. The pun at the end gives it just the right light-hearted touch. Good job! I am terribly into sonnets these days myself.

Sandee said...

Tis a fine way to use the word drink. Have a great MM. :)

anthonynorth said...

Isn't it strange how so much of a celebration ends up down a sewer?

Marilyn said...

I really like the way you used "paper jam"... this was fun.

maryt/theteach said...

Wonderful poem in celebration of parades...:D