My poetry sisters and I are wrapping up our year of writing with a crown sonnet. This particular project holds a special place in my heart because the very first sonnet I ever wrote was because I was invited to participate in the first crown project with this group. All these years later, I'm still energized, excited, humbled, and honored to work with these women. I'll also admit to being just a bit giddy over the topic of the crown. I never imagined my sisters would choose the periodic table!
The first sonnet in the crown was written by Laura Purdie Salas. She kicked things off beautifully and left me a terrific final line to begin with. Without further ado, here is the second sonnet in the crown.
Will science break us down or set us free?
What bonds secure us here in time and space?
What kryptonite of mind and heart will be,
the downfall of the species and our race?
But all’s not lost if we exploit the chart
manipulating valencies to make
new cures, bold applications, works of art,
in mankind’s quest to keep the world awake
So row by row assembled pure and raw
our lives, our earth composed of bits that spark
organic forms, the very breath we draw
all wrought from heat, from cold, from light and dark
Row 2 gives form to charcoal, diamonds, steel
what other treasures will the chart reveal?
Sara Lewis Holmes took over from here. I hope you'll head to her blog next to see where this goes!
I'll not conclude my Poetry Friday contribution yet, as you'll circle back around to me when this thing comes to a conclusion. I hope to see you back here soon!
The first sonnet in the crown was written by Laura Purdie Salas. She kicked things off beautifully and left me a terrific final line to begin with. Without further ado, here is the second sonnet in the crown.
Rough Diamond by USGS Employee
What bonds secure us here in time and space?
What kryptonite of mind and heart will be,
the downfall of the species and our race?
But all’s not lost if we exploit the chart
manipulating valencies to make
new cures, bold applications, works of art,
in mankind’s quest to keep the world awake
So row by row assembled pure and raw
our lives, our earth composed of bits that spark
organic forms, the very breath we draw
all wrought from heat, from cold, from light and dark
Row 2 gives form to charcoal, diamonds, steel
what other treasures will the chart reveal?
Sara Lewis Holmes took over from here. I hope you'll head to her blog next to see where this goes!
I'll not conclude my Poetry Friday contribution yet, as you'll circle back around to me when this thing comes to a conclusion. I hope to see you back here soon!
This is my favorite: So row by row assembled pure and raw
ReplyDeleteour lives, our earth composed of bits that spark
organic forms, the very breath we draw
all wrought from heat, from cold, from light and dark
So lovely.
And thank you for gifting me with that last line to spark my sonnet!
I was JUST about to say exactly what Sara said! "assembled pure and raw" is SO my kind of language. This is lovely, Tricia, thank you!
ReplyDeleteMe too! My favorite lines:
ReplyDelete"...the very breath we draw
all wrought from heat, from cold, from light and dark"
I love how you've brought "charcoal, diamonds, steel" together just after that. Brilliant!
Only you can use "valencies" in perfect pentameter, with perfect meaning. You truly have a gift, my friend.
ReplyDeleteTania took my favorite part, that you used the science words so beautifully in meter. Loving the reading of all these! "But all’s not lost if we exploit the chart/manipulating valencies to make."
ReplyDelete"mankind’s quest to keep the world awake" -- that's our mission right now, isn't it? What a unique (and poetic) way to put it. Fingers crossed that we get it right...
ReplyDeleteLove the switch from daunting questions to hope and progress--and that brilliant use of valencies! Well done, and a nice hand-off to the next sonnet (which I am off to read right now.)
ReplyDelete