Onward to the Fourth Jewel in the Crown - Debbie Guzzi's Blog

It is a 7-sonnet sequence in which

the last line of  each sonnet is repeated in the first line of the next.

The first line is repeated as the last line of  the 7th. sonnet;
  These will be MODERN  SONNETS, 14 lines, 10 syllables per line

 abab cdcd efef gg/ I want flow  but strict meter is not necessary.

1. Eileen Ghali * Sarah Kendrick*Dane Ann Smith Johnson* 7
2. Carrie Richards *6 Joyce Johnson * 6 Andrea Dietrich* 6
3. Caleb Smith * #1
4. Craig Cornish *4 The Scribe *4 Mark Peterson *4
5. Charles Henderson #2 David Williams * #2
6. Catie Lindsey * #3 Nette Onclaud *#3 Jim Goff #3
7. Isaiah Zerbst*5, Roy Jerden* 5,  *Kelly Deschler 5 *   
   

7 people will  win and all of those 7 will get a first place.  

Stone in the Cold

By Caleb Smith

#1
 

 Through darkness I come with a  stealthy hand,
who but a man shadowed could be so bold?
My eyes hunt  take a reckoning of the land,
look into the hollows, constant and  cold.

My companion solitude, still as stone,
I  am the seeker of winds, and of scent.
By the trees yonder, I wait not   alone;
my aim is true, and my purpose unbent.

Yet, death does not bring a smile to my lips,
  nor a lift unto this wayfaring heart;
in grief I am fed, from  silence  I sip,
and from the old wood, I shall never part.

The hunt will remain for those who pursue,
  a  life that no death could ever undo.

#2 selection C. H. 

A life that no death could ever undo,
for  there are portals I've yet to find.
Hidden life in the green I wish to  pursue,
oh, the secrets of life and death entwine.  

I search and search, I will know no  defeat.
Each corner turned will find new paths to tread.
The deer or the  bear, the fox that I meet
will reveal the secrets of life not death.

So, let the wood talk, hear what it  reveals.
Riddle its meanings there to be understood.
The less armor worn,  we brandish or wield,
higher truth follows our message of good.

Come into the woods as in days of youth,
we  still face the test of absolute truth.

 #3 of 3 J. G.

We still face the test of absolute truth,
the  nights coming fast, I travel unheard.
The reverence I feel, was born in  youth,
tempered by sage, burnt offerings for birds.

Tormented by brambles whose thorns I collect
I  come to remains of struggles long gone,
feathers and crushed bone, on these I  reflect.
I'm hoping once more, my arms are still strong.

A pine marten scurries, close to my step,
the  sweet scent of birch gum, his claws unearth.
My arrow's still sheathed, for  creeks I have leapt.
I have grown cold, but my spirit rebirthed.

Tracks at the creek, the water I savor
 the  brush slight moves, my aim does not waver.

#4 C. C.

The brush moves, my aim does not waiver.
Foraging there, on the rim of the pond
A sounder of wild boar brings a shiver
And the grunts and the squeals that I have spawned.
 
From the thicket a sow charges and bites;
Bleeding, I climb to the limb of a tree,
As razorback frenzy welcomes the night -
Now, I am prey and pray to be free;
 
That the morning light will find the beasts gone,
Or that others not find the scent of my blood,
Or that tied to this tree, will I last long -
Will infection and pain rush in a flood.

Or, like a wounded deer in the thicket
Will I die and be eaten within it...
 
my suggestions & eincorporating both Dee's and Joyce's advice

The brush moves, my aim does not waver,
a sounder of boar feeds right near the pond,
so many there, it brings on a shiver;
the gruntings and squealings that I have spawned.

From the thicket a sow charges, then bites;
bleeding, I climb to the limb of a tree,    
as razorback frenzy slashes the night.
I am the prey, and I pray I'll be freed.

God, let morning light find ev'ry beast gone
pray no more come to the scent of my blood,
the gash is so deep, will I last that long?
Tied to the tree the pain flows like a flood.

My mind goes to the deer bones in the thorns.
The night is very dark, pray for the dawn.

Isaiah #4

The brush moves, my aim [must never]* waver;
With strengthened arms I bend my bow of yew:
My eyes pierce the brush, intent to savor
the sights of a good hunt, an arrow true.

The bracken parts, rattling, empty sighs;
My draw fingers quake from the constant chill.
My quarries' breath floats to the clouded sky,
My own breath muffled as I track my kill.

Overhead, an arrow in deadly arc
speeds toward the bear I'm seeking, still as stone;
A shadow moves, the arrow strikes its mark.
The hand that loosed the shaft was not my own.

I am a man shadowed; death comes knocking:
The hunter hunted; the past comes stalking.

#4 Mark

The brush moves, my aim does not waver,
then cacophonous noise and flutter of wing—
suspense of time, wild moment to savor,
destiny’s urge theirs, ever pining for spring.

The beat of the moment has suddenly faded,
my nostrils aware of the keenness of snow.
Unprepared and alone, my hubris vacated,
ill to compare with the wolf and the crow.

I shiver alone in the deepening cold,
cringing and stiff, as the blizzard advances
Though I’d thought of myself as manly and bold,
I confess sadly now that grim are my chances.

How long must I struggle, awash in chagrin,
Stricken in heart over what might have been. 

suggest to simplify language & clarify for Mark

Now the brush moves, my aim does not waver.
A rush of bird sounds the flutter of wings
times seems to stop, a moment to savor
unaimed I lose, they flee pining for spring.

The beat of the moment has suddenly faded,
my nostrils flare with the keenness of snow.
What foolish pride to come, alone, unaided 
unprepared for cold like the wolf and crow.

I shiver alone in the deepening cold,
cringing and stiff, as the blizzard advances;
though I’d thought of myself as manly and bold,
I confess sadly, that grim are my chances.

 How long must I struggle, awash in chagrin,
 Stricken in heart over what might have been.    

BOY we have some wonderful PLOT choices here!!!

 BUT  the action/suspense must BE here- Sonnet 4 beginsBE  VERY SENSORY STAY IN FIRST PERSON PRESENT TENSE

PLEASE  READ CALEB'S BLOG FOR INSPIRATION

Please pick which we will use for #4

*the 1st line is The brush moves my aim does not waver