Jessica's First Year (Godfather Sonnet)

by Larry Chamberlin   Aug 25, 2014


These rocky mountains are now hers;
flowers - subtle myths of childhood -
line the path ways as she enters
fresh college morning neighborhood.

Even that comfy village school,
my hilltop hometown transplanted,
reformed, refined, even made cool:
her spirit blithely decanted.

The future banners out her name
boldly invites: "invest your soul,
find fulfillment beyond mere fame,
write the script to play your own role."

We, from her past, must now defer -
daily bonds will be no longer!
Nineteen years have gone in a blur;
smiles, tears, frights and falls, even bliss
still she ran back for hugs or kiss;
though mostly we heard: "I got this."

She has the rocky mountain bloom,
we've the echo: her empty room.

*********************************

Godfather Sonnet (created for this poem):

3 quatrains (rather than an octave), abab cdcd efef
1 sestet, ggghhh
1 doublet ii
All lines are 8 syllables.
Sonnet argument (observation, question) and counter (conclusion, answer) are followed traditionally in the quatrains and sestet respectively. The ending doublet restates the argument in line one and the counter in line two in a manner that gives new meaning to the entire poem.

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Latest Comments

  • 10 years ago

    by Maple Tree

    Larry is one creative formed poetry writer and he created a unique and fun Sonnet here.. so the form was priceless in my opinion... and then the message, well it made me cry like a baby...
    Guiding your child off to start a new life as a fresh young adult... going off on her own.. well that is very difficult for a parent to do.. And from start to finish you can't help but be affected ... what an elegant and sad piece this is... just a precious piece from start to finish!

  • 10 years ago

    by Meena Krish

    Judging Comment:

    The title followed by the form got me to read this.
    Have not come across this form so had to find out
    more. The read itself holds a lot of memories as
    well as emotions of a child leaving the nest; heading
    out to face the world. As the parents are left with
    just memories of a child and his/her room. I like
    the descriptions of the places and the imprints left
    by the child.

    The ending:

    She has the rocky mountain bloom,
    we've the echo: her empty room.

    ^^this one holds the deepest pain I feel. A pain
    which every parent can comprehend. A touching
    write and an interesting form which makes me
    want to try!

  • 10 years ago

    by Dancing Rivers

    This is such a pretty poem, quite different from the others I've read thus far.the images you create in this sonnet are so endearing,I could just picture the scene, as a fresh-faced and eager nineteen year old boldly marches forth into her new life, leaving behind the"flower myth", there's a bittersweet tone, bitter because of the loss of childhood, the loss of the fairytale beliefs, yet sweet because there's so many more stories to be told in the unknown future.this poem really touches me because I'm eighteen years old and I'm about to participate in the journey into the future, but I'm not so sure that I'll be as bold as to say"I've got this", I'm the type who likes to hold on to the things, sort of like Larry the hoarder, my mind holds onto childhood memories and dreams as if they were fragile birds eggs, but your poem has inspired me to take that big step into the big world, thank you for this stunning work, even though it is a personal piece to you, I'm sure it'll inspire many more like me :-)

  • 10 years ago

    by nouriguess

    :)

  • 10 years ago

    by nouriguess

    "This poem, while personal, was filled with heaps of emotions that a lot of us can relate to. It speaks of heartache and unconditional love, enunciating the feeling of loss but it also shows positive emotions; the grief of watching her go is partially alleviated by knowing that she's persevering and confident and well-prepared to face the world on her own and reach her aim, and that no matter how far away you are from her, you still share such a bond. The ending is just heart-wrenching. Added to my favourites, and hope to see it on the front page." - 7 points.

    • 10 years ago

      by Larry Chamberlin

      I think your father would be proud of your own efforts to fulfill your dream. You will one day graduate with a Doctorate in Nuclear Chemistry and perhaps lead the world toward the peaceful production of cheap energy that can transform the lives of millions. I believe you have it in you.

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