“Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets” –LFO, “Summer Girls”
I love writing sonnets. I crave the structure of the fourteen lines, find freedom in the pentameter. I love rhyme schemes and limits–I find them liberating. Yes, there is something wonderful in writing as you feel, the freedom to create your own, make your mark. Free verse is beautiful, but I find creativity in rules. The more that I am restrained, the more I have to work to create, must try to find originality and my voice. Sonnets are delicious.
As I watched Order of the Phoenix today to get psyched for Deathly Hallows tomorrow, the first lines of this snuck up on me. I know that I am no Shakespeare. Lord knows that kind of genius comes but once. But today I was inspired, and goofy, so I went with. I remembered how much I loved to write, how I miss structured creative writing (is that even possible?). So here it is, for all the world to see and mock, because I can and want to. I needed to write, so I did. And I love the majestic sonnet, so I used it. And I am flooded with Harry nostalgia, so I let it inspire me. In honor of both the Bard and the Boy, here’s my creative mess of the day:
Four houses, all alike in dignity,
In fair Hogwarts, where we lay our scene,
From Magick Most Evile breaks new atrocity,
Where muggle blood makes pure-blood hands unclean.
From forth the fateful scar of He-who-lives,
A connection, to He-whom-we-name-not,
Frightful insight into evil ‘s mind it gives
And drives Rowling’s colorful, winding plot.
To friends and foes they make along the way,
The fearful passage of their fights to live,
O.W.L.s, spells, dragons, and Headless* Nick’s death day,
Through seven tomes, your full attention give.
The “witch” if you, with open mind attend,
What here shall miss, magic shall strive to mend.
“He was not of an age, but for all time!” –Ben Johnson, To the Memory of my Beloved, the Author, Mr. William Shakespeare
*”Nearly-Headless Nick” would have thrown off my rhythm, but I know better than to call the poor ghost headless!
To love the world... 