Alison A Smith Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Written 10th August, 2026 for Shakespearean Sonnet Poetry Contest sponsored by Craig Cornish

Poet's Note:100% Human-Written.This poem is a strict Shakespearean sonnet, written entirely by hand in perfect iambic pentameter with an exact ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme. Please be aware that AI detection tools frequently flag this piece as "100% AI" because they rely on finding rhythmic irregularity and metrical variance. The strict meter is a deliberate, human-crafted artistic constraint. 

 

Gum leaf in the bush

Though I can hold my branch the whole year long,
I sometimes lose my grip upon the tree;
A cheeky cockatoo with beak so strong,
Or racing winds that hurry to be free.

My falling journey brings both fear and joy,
While looking up, I see my brothers bound;
What cruel winds and hungry birds destroy,
Will join our fallen kindred on the ground.

The monster sups upon our brittle bark,
And swallows all my world in blinding gold;
Yet waiting in this fierce, devouring spark,
A greater, green rebirth will soon unfold.

Though I am turned to dust upon the floor,
My ash will feed the native bush once more.


Poet's Note:100% Human-Written.This poem is a strict Shakespearean sonnet, written entirely by hand in perfect iambic pentameter with an exact ABAB CDCD EFEF GG rhyme scheme. Please be aware that AI detection tools frequently flag this piece as "100% AI" because they rely on finding rhythmic irregularity and metrical variance. The strict meter is a deliberate, human-crafted artistic constraint.

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Suzette Richards September 13, 2026 at 1:02 PM This is a stunning sonnet, Alison. Every image develops the storyline, culminating in the inspiration for rebirth. Congratulations on your placement. Alison A Smith September 13, 2026 at 2:10 PM Thank you Suzette your comment is very much appreciated.❤️

Andrea Dietrich September 10, 2026 at 9:18 PM Gorgeous one, Alison. Loved especially that third stanza. Cheeky cockatoo so cute. Congrats Alison A Smith September 10, 2026 at 11:34 PM The sulphur crested cockatoo is a very cheeky bird, they fly in very noisy flocks called a "crackle". They delight in eating and destroying eucalypt blossoms of course they bite a few leaves off as well.

Marian Sidlik September 3, 2026 at 7:05 AM Dear Alison, please forgive me for straying from your beautiful poetry. I would be delighted if Poetryoup were not limited solely to poetry and articles about it but also embraced the exploration of other cultures and languages. The importance of English is often overstated; the fact that it serves as a global language of communication does not mean it is inherently superior to others. My native Slovak is spoken by just over five million people, yet it is an ancient Indo-European language closely related to the extinct Sanskrit and belongs to the vast Slavic language family. Slovak possesses three remarkable attributes: verbal prefixes, diminutives and flexible word order (an advantage in rhymed poetry). Marian Sidlik Alison A Smith September 3, 2026 at 2:17 PM Marian you raise an interesting point. Having a dedicated area where poems, culture and languages of non- english origin would be very enriching. Thank you for helping me see you.

Marian Sidlik September 3, 2026 at 6:55 AM Dear Alison, your poetic style resonates deeply with me. A delicate lyricism radiates from every poem, uplifting the soul... I envy you a little for having English as your native language; authors from other nations face a much harder task... Like you, I write rhymed poems and sonnets alongside free verse, and I have published several poetry collections. Unfortunately, translating structured verse into English is nearly impossible, whereas the reverse presents no problem. Dear Alison, I wish you abundant creative energy and many captivated readers. All the best, respectfully, Marian Sidlik – a Slovak man. Alison A Smith September 3, 2026 at 2:13 PM Thank you for your visit. I am intrigued that poems written in English are easily translated into another language but not the other way around. This is such a pity as I am sure english speakers are missing out on some beautiful prose.

Dorothy Gibbons August 9, 2026 at 10:56 PM Magnificent write ✍️ dear Alison love every single word from your heart n soul. A fav for me this morning 🙌✨❤️‍🩹 have a blessed week with ink and wonderful imagination 😍 hugzzz friend 🫂 Alison A Smith August 10, 2026 at 12:21 AM Thank you Dorothy - heading into natural surroundings for a few days to strengthen my muse.💖🌿

Paige Hind August 9, 2026 at 10:29 PM This is amazing, another fav this evening of yours <3🌹 Alison A Smith August 9, 2026 at 10:45 PM Paige you are too kind 💐💐

Abhishek Soni August 9, 2026 at 10:02 PM WONDERFULL!!! Alison A Smith August 9, 2026 at 10:04 PM This is my first Sonnet I am so happy you like it.💕