Heroic Crown of Sonnets (Another Activity)

[Truerenigma]

Our members sure do love sonnets—an observation which is clearly made obvious by the fact that so many posts here have (a sonnet) in the title; as if they were afraid someone might not recognize the form - or, perhaps they are hoping to get more reads from it because the form is so popular here on this site.

My suggestion calls for an activity involving sonnets. We already have a practice thread, but what I'm asking for is something that may be a bit more exiting for the sonneteers—and provide a place where they can post with utmost confidence that everyone will know they are at least attempting a sonnet—perhaps a contest, or a collaboration on a crown of sonnets.

Regarding the collaboration: If some other member or members are interested, I would be willing to participate in the production of a crown. The basic idea I have in mind is this:

1. One member writes the first sonnet.
2. The next member writes the redouble.
3. Repeat until finished (could be done with anywhere from 2-14) members.

Regarding a contest: This may be more difficult. It would have to be run and organized by milo or an admin.—and judges, as well as topic or theme, and specific type of sonnet (i.e. English, Spenserian, etc.), would have to be selected.
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We have decided not to have a contest at this time, but we are doing the collaboration.

Please read through the thread if you are interested in participating.

The rules and are here:
http://www.pigpenpoetry.com/showthread.php?tid=13349

[Leanne]

For the record: I remain absolutely and utterly opposed to contests of any kind in poetry. However, the collaboration idea is a good one and I'm sure plenty of people can confidently take part.

[milo]

Our members sure do love sonnets—an observation which is clearly made obvious by the fact that so many post here have (a sonnet) in the title; as if they were afraid someone might not recognize the form - or, perhaps they are hoping to get more reads from it because the form is so popular here on this site.

My suggestion calls for an activity involving sonnets. We already have a practice thread, but what I'm asking for is something that may be a bit more exiting for the sonneteers—and provide a place where they can post with utmost confidence that everyone will know they are at least attempting a sonnet—perhaps a contest, or a collaboration on a crown of sonnets.

Regarding the collaboration: If some other member or members are interested, I would be willing to participate in the production of a crown. The basic idea I have in mind is this:

1. One member writes the first sonnet.
2. The next member writes the redouble.
3. Repeat until finished (could be done with anywhere from 2-14) members.

Regarding a contest: This may be more difficult. It would have to be run and organized by milo or an admin.—and judges, as well as topic or theme, and specific type of sonnet (i.e. English, Spenserian, etc.), would have to be selected.

I tend to love contests in poetry but don't see how one would enhance this particular event.

I think the crown idea is great. I've long thought of attempting one but lack the type of industriousness I think.

This definitely gets my seal of approval, I would say start the crown and members can just grab the next thorn.

[Truerenigma]

For the record: I remain absolutely and utterly opposed to contests of any kind in poetry. However, the collaboration idea is a good one and I'm sure plenty of people can confidently take part.

Yeah, I agree about the contest(s). I was just trying to think of something. It would probably be better to do something a little more like the NaPM activity: i.e. a sonnet a day for a predefined period of time, with a topic or theme, and type, for each day.

[milo]

For the record: I remain absolutely and utterly opposed to contests of any kind in poetry. However, the collaboration idea is a good one and I'm sure plenty of people can confidently take part.

Yeah, I agree about the contest(s). I was just trying to think of something. It would probably be better to do something a little more like the NaPM: i.e. a sonnet a day for a predefined period of time, with a topic or theme, and type, for each day.

No, the crown is the way to go. NaPM is coming up fast anyway. A collaborative crown could be like a jewel for the site. I really like this idea.

[cidermaid]

I love this idea.
I would join in but i suck at IP...well meter in general actually.
I have the industriousness to do a crown... worse I have a double crown i am halfway through attempting...I have the story and the ability to stick with the principles of the rules...just not the skill with the meter. But this thread gets my vote and I would follow any offerings with interest.

[Truerenigma]

This definitely gets my seal of approval, I would say start the crown and members can just grab the next thorn.

Okay, then. Just give me some time to put together the first sonnet. Unless anyone else wants to start in the meantime?-- that's fine too.

I was thinking we would write a traditional Heroic Crown, as that would allow up to 14 members to participate, and give each participating member a chance to contribute a line to the final sonnet.

[milo]

This definitely gets my seal of approval, I would say start the crown and members can just grab the next thorn.

Okay, then. Just give me some time to put together the first sonnet. Unless anyone else wants to start in the meantime?-- that's fine too.

I was thinking we would write a traditional Heroic Crown, as that would allow up to 14 members to participate, and give each participating member a chance to contribute a line to the final sonnet.

[/quote]

While you are feeling industrious, post the rulez and I will sticky.

[ellajam]

So does this mean that anyone can try off any last line and the first suitable one goes in or are you having people sign up?

[milo]

So does this mean that anyone can try off any last line and the first suitable one goes in or are you having people sign up?

It's true's idea, but I think it would be cool to just leave it out there and anyone that wanted to run with it could. What do you think?

[Truerenigma]

So does this mean that anyone can try off any last line and the first suitable one goes in or are you having people sign up?

Yeah, I was just thinking about that—the only issue is not waiting for a "suitable one", because we can always work together to bring it on track through editing—the problem is having multiple people writing for the same part in the sequence at the same time. I imagine it would be pretty disappointing if you spent a thousand hours on your sonnet—only to find that someone else has already taken your spot.

I don't want there to be a selection process where people are "submitting" poems to be "chosen"—it will have to either be first come, first serve -or- we will just have to have people start signing up and start a list.

Personally, I think the first come first serve way will be more active, interesting, and exiting. I don't think we will be overrun with people fighting for a spot—the people here would participate are pretty reasonable, and if someone else gets there first, you can just write the next one.

50 post minimum hereby in effect. anyone who has a sonnet ready first can start.

[milo]

So does this mean that anyone can try off any last line and the first suitable one goes in or are you having people sign up?

Yeah, I was just thinking about that—the only issue is not waiting for a "suitable one", because we can always work together to bring it on track through editing—the problem is having multiple people writing for the same part in the sequence at the same time. I imagine it would be pretty disappointing if you spent a thousand hours on your sonnet—only to find that someone else has already taken your spot.

I don't want there to be a selection process where people are "submitting" poems to be "chosen"—it will have to either be first come, first serve -or- we will just have to have people start signing up and start a list.

Personally, I think the first come first serve way will be more active, interesting, and exiting. I don't think we will be overrun with people fighting for a spot—the people here would participate are pretty reasonable, and if someone else gets there first, you can just write the next one.

100 post minimum hereby in effect. anyone who has a sonnet ready first can start.

The worst thing that happens is we have /too many/ sonnets?

[ellajam]

I can't speak for anyone else but I wouldn't be upset if I started one and someone beat me to it. I'll probably end up with 13 half sonnets, something to work on in the future. I don't think I'd be losing from the experience even if nothing got in.

[milo]

I can't speak for anyone else but I wouldn't be upset if I started one and someone beat me to it. I'll probably end up with 13 half sonnets, something to work on in the future. I don't think I'd be losing from the experience even if nothing got in.

Could possibly end up with 2 crowns.

[Truerenigma]

So does this mean that anyone can try off any last line and the first suitable one goes in or are you having people sign up?

Yeah, I was just thinking about that—the only issue is not waiting for a "suitable one", because we can always work together to bring it on track through editing—the problem is having multiple people writing for the same part in the sequence at the same time. I imagine it would be pretty disappointing if you spent a thousand hours on your sonnet—only to find that someone else has already taken your spot.

I don't want there to be a selection process where people are "submitting" poems to be "chosen"—it will have to either be first come, first serve -or- we will just have to have people start signing up and start a list.

Personally, I think the first come first serve way will be more active, interesting, and exiting. I don't think we will be overrun with people fighting for a spot—the people here would participate are pretty reasonable, and if someone else gets there first, you can just write the next one.

100 post minimum hereby in effect. anyone who has a sonnet ready first can start.

The worst thing that happens is we have /too many/ sonnets?

I don't think there is a such thing. Another thing though—members should wait for a cue that we are open for the next sonnet to post theirs. If they have one ready before the cue, they can simple let the others here know by simple posting "I'm next", or something to that effect.

We are currently open for the first sonnet. I am thinking about one— which will go up when it is ready if some time passes without someone else starting—but I have no problems with someone else kicking it off.

I can still keep my sonnet and maybe workshop it later, so no harm done, right?

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I can't speak for anyone else but I wouldn't be upset if I started one and someone beat me to it. I'll probably end up with 13 half sonnets, something to work on in the future. I don't think I'd be losing from the experience even if nothing got in.

Could possibly end up with 2 crowns.

or several. it could be an ongoing thing. What the hell...we're bound to get some poetry out of it.

[billy]

For the record: I remain absolutely and utterly opposed to contests of any kind in poetry. However, the collaboration idea is a good one and I'm sure plenty of people can confidently take part.

me too. cos i'd never win one and contests tend to alienate people.

[Truerenigma]

For the record: I remain absolutely and utterly opposed to contests of any kind in poetry. However, the collaboration idea is a good one and I'm sure plenty of people can confidently take part.

me too. cos i'd never win one and contests tend to alienate people.

Yeah, I don't think it's the best idea for the community.

[Truerenigma]

So does this mean that anyone can try off any last line and the first suitable one goes in or are you having people sign up?

Yeah, I was just thinking about that—the only issue is not waiting for a "suitable one", because we can always work together to bring it on track through editing—the problem is having multiple people writing for the same part in the sequence at the same time. I imagine it would be pretty disappointing if you spent a thousand hours on your sonnet—only to find that someone else has already taken your spot.

I don't want there to be a selection process where people are "submitting" poems to be "chosen"—it will have to either be first come, first serve -or- we will just have to have people start signing up and start a list.

Personally, I think the first come first serve way will be more active, interesting, and exiting. I don't think we will be overrun with people fighting for a spot—the people here would participate are pretty reasonable, and if someone else gets there first, you can just write the next one.

100 post minimum hereby in effect. anyone who has a sonnet ready first can start.

The worst thing that happens is we have /too many/ sonnets?

To avoid confusion, I would like to mention that the minimum is actually 50 posts to participate, as posted in the rules. Of course if you do not meet feedback requirements, or follow the rules elsewhere, moderators and administrators probably won't allow you to participate.

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All Our Yesterdays

i.

So this is how we enter, as the clock ticks,
into a lifetime of fragility.
Come quick, small child! Your heart is but a chick's
small squeaks; your wings are barely feathered. See,
the steel-clawed beast in smock and apron gear
won't harm your molded head. This violent day
will fade. Don't turn to crawl back from the fear
of numbered clocks that beep your heart away—
into cold night, in bed with mother moon,
as brief as ice drips from the cycle—strife
will end as scrapbook pages turn. So soon
you will grow old! The brevity of life
will strike you grey; yet pictures line the wall,
to tell the story from when first you crawled.

[billy]

the 1st line threw me a curve ball
and so did the 3rd..(theres lots of trochees or whatever the fuck they're called and it's hard for me to follow. (are we supposed to give feedback) i mean i can follow it but am struggling with the meter. (i do realise the the 3 iambic foot rule) is in play but i still struggle

[Truerenigma]

Okay so I've made a few changes, with a more conservative approach to meter and syntax. This a pretty industrious project, and it isn't going to be easy for all of us. Personally, I don't expect metrical perfection (some may even want to play around a bit, so that this very long poem doesn't drone on metrically) but if we are going to get a bit wild, it is probably best to keep it to the middle of poem, and try to end on a fairly solid line, so that the final sonnet can have some cohesion, metrically and otherwise. we are ready for the next poem.


So far for the final sonnet we have two lines, (possibly a central metaphor) and the rhymes for the first stanza:

So this is how we enter clockworks tick
they talk they tell your story in the hall

Although that is subject to punctuation (and/or spelling) changes (the punctuation [or spelling, if there's wordplay involved] from sonnet to sonnet doesn't have to be the same as in the originals; this is not going to be easy, and I expect that we may end up with some enjambment, possibly parenthetical clauses). It will be interesting to see what others do with this.



Remember to start with this line:

They talk. They tell your story in the hall

[font=Arial]and that your last line will be the third line in the final sonnet.


_______________________________________

So this is how we enter clockworks tick
they talk they tell your story in the hall

All Our Yesterdays

i.

So this is how we enter clockwork's tick
into a lifetime of fragility.
Come quick, small child! Your heart is but a chick's
small squeaks; your wings are barely feathered. See,
the steel-clawed beast in smock and apron gear
won't harm your molded head. This violent day
will fade. Don't turn to crawl back in from fear
of numbered clocks that beep your heart away—
into cold night, in bed with mother moon,
brief as icicle drips at sunrise—strife
will lift as scrapbook pages turn. So soon
you will grow old! The brevity of life
will strike you grey; yet pictures line the wall,
they talk. They tell your story in the hall.