Daniel Turner Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Italian sonnets are ABBA ABBA CDECDE  Shakesperian sonnets ar ABAB CDCD EFEF GG This a hybrid of the two. I have been informed it is called an "envelope" sonnet. ABBA CDDC EFGEFG

Respect Or Fear

How thin the line between respect and fear
A line too thin for little boys to see
They look the same beneath the bully tree
If pain's involved, it's rarely ever clear

Some dads use fear to teach their sons respect
But we have learned that doesn't always work
On some occasions, some may go berserk
With most, that fear, they simply redirect

But as the years went by we understood
Imaginary lines are in the mind
Fear is a forced response, respect is earned
My children learned respect... as children should,
I did not have to paddle their behind
Respect they gave, was lovingly returned.


      Daniel Turner

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Bill Baker April 15, 2023 at 8:05 AM I agree with the message and it's good parenting (IMHO). I love sonnets of any kind, Daniel. I have my own style. If I named it, it would be a "Bakerian Sonnet" AABB CCDD EEFF GG. Write On! Bill

Andrea Dietrich April 12, 2023 at 1:04 PM a wonderful and profound message in this one, Danny. Sadly, too many men continue the cycle of violence through their use of fear. Daniel Turner April 13, 2023 at 2:48 PM Thanks sweetie. I agree but I dont think its as bad as it once was. Great to see you as always. Hoping things are looking up for you:)

Gershon Wolf April 10, 2023 at 7:39 PM Funny how when young, I thought of 'respect' as fear without a paddle. Daniel Turner April 11, 2023 at 4:34 AM Thanks GW. Yeah it was confusing to say the least. I had to go through fear to get to respect. It was a long process.

Ryan Gayagay April 5, 2023 at 7:10 AM This is a wonderful read, Daniel. "Fear is a forced response, respect is earned." A beautiful reminder for all. Daniel Turner April 11, 2023 at 4:32 AM Thank you, Ryan. I appreciate your time and support.

Beryl Edmonds April 4, 2023 at 3:25 PM A line too thin for little girls too Daniel. I came to understand that lack of respect and installing fear in those in their care is because kindness for them was never there. In spite of everything I came to love my dad also and cried when he died. An excellent combination of the two types of sonnets… Belle Daniel Turner April 4, 2023 at 3:35 PM Thank you, Belle. Oh, I'm sure little girls had to deal with antiquated beliefs, same as little boys. Only so many words will fit in 10 syllables. LOL It gets really confusing when they throw "their love" in on top of the abuse. Look at the bright side. We survived to be functioning adults, I think:) It's always a pleasure, Belle. Be well:)

K. Parker April 3, 2023 at 10:19 PM Sounds like a repeated cycle mixed with fear as respect is over looked. Great piece. I enjoyed this read Daniel :) K. Parker April 4, 2023 at 3:45 PM Daniel I think we all had to, I know I did. It's always a pleasure to read your masterpieces and to reach out to you with feedback. You have amazing poems, if I never told you. :) Daniel Turner April 4, 2023 at 3:30 PM Thank you, KP Great to see you. back in the day, one had to go through fear to get to respect. Not so much anymore. Always a pleasure to see you young lady. Be well:)

Suzanne Delaney April 3, 2023 at 4:43 PM An excellent sonnet on a difficult subject. You must be a very loving person to not turn out full of hate. I am so glad also to find an example of an Envelope Sonnet and thanks to Suzette for her excellent definition and sharing her knowledge. SuZ Daniel Turner April 3, 2023 at 5:19 PM Thank you, SuZ. There was a time I thought I hated my dad. It took us years to reconcile. When he died, I cried. I wish he was still alive. He raised his kids the way he was raised. That doesn't make it right, but I understand.

Janice Canerdy April 3, 2023 at 8:01 AM Yes, that line can be very thin! Excellent sonnet--as always--Danny. Janice Daniel Turner April 3, 2023 at 5:07 PM Thank you, Janice. Always good to see you. I really appreciate your support. Be well:)

Suzette Richards April 3, 2023 at 1:15 AM Yes, it is an Envelope Rhyme Sonnet. Rhyme schemes: abba cddc efg efg or abba cddc efe fef. Stanzaic. The quatrains are standard envelope rhyme formats, but it also extends to the sestet after a fashion, example 'efe'. Two fine examples can be found written by William Lisle Bowles in his Fourteen Sonnets (1789). I am personally of the opinion that showing respect is learned, not earned, but definitely not by means of inflicted pain. A good thought-provoking poem, Daniel. Daniel Turner April 3, 2023 at 6:41 AM Thank you, Suzette. You are a wealth of information:)I am glad you stopped by. When pain is involved, one only feels pain. My children are great examples of teaching respect w/o inflicting pain. Always great to see you Suzette. You left a smile:)

Mystic Rose Rose April 2, 2023 at 6:12 PM Respect is earned through patience and example. You must have been a great father to receive such wonderful dividend, nicely penned dear Daniel Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 6:16 PM Thank you, Rose. At least my kids think I was a good dad, that's good enough for me. Always a pleasure to see you. Have a great evening:)

Linda Alice Fowler April 2, 2023 at 5:10 PM It was always respect in our family (well, once or twice I defied my mother to no good end LOL) Disappointment cut me deeply. Linda Alice Fowler April 3, 2023 at 9:59 AM Only I, Daniel. LOL No, you are not the only one. I've read others trials as a child. Maybe it's hard to talk about, or not to remember the bad things. I don't know - but I think better to speak out - catharsis. Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 5:16 PM Thank you, Alice for dropping by to read and comment. Surely I'm not the only one who ever got physically disciplined. I know everybody on here was not a saint as a child. LOL

Jenna Logan April 2, 2023 at 12:44 PM No child will ever learn respect through fear. It must be imitated by a child when it's applied by the parent. My fear was in doing something wrong to make my parents disappointed in me rather than the fear of their punishment. Great points, Danny. Soupmail Jenna Logan April 2, 2023 at 2:48 PM Thanks for responding. ;) Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 2:34 PM No, respect for my father did not come until I became a father. One reason he and I did not see eye to eye while I was growing up. Jenna Logan April 2, 2023 at 2:25 PM I was thinking... you feared your father, but did you respect him for using physical punishment? Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 1:11 PM Thank you, Jenna. I wouldn't say no child. I learned through fear. It was a tough lesson too. My dad was a firm believer in spare the rod, spoil the child.I appreciate your kindness and support (and good eye). Be well my friend:)

Paul Callus April 2, 2023 at 12:02 PM This amalgamation of Italian & Shakespearian sonnets is very interesting, Danny. Of course, the content is even more important; respect can't be earned by instilling fear. ~ Regards // paul Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 12:16 PM Hello, Paul. I thought I had come up with an original form but have been informed, not so fast:) Regardless I am glad you enjoyed your read. Have a fine day,sir.

Sara Kendrick April 2, 2023 at 9:05 AM There is a lot of talk about respect these days. Some want respect but they are not willing to give it to others. I enjoyed reading your work. I'll have to try to write an Italian sonnet. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 12:14 PM Thank you, Mrs Sara. It is a relative topic for sure. I know you can do it:) Always a pleasure when you stop by. Have a wonderful Sunday afternnon.

Lisa Ricci April 2, 2023 at 7:16 AM Good Morning Daniel. How beautiful and how very true. It would be a better world if all thought this way and if life went this way. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent and message. Blessings always. Have a wonderful day. (smile) Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 7:28 AM Thank you so much, Lisa. I learned the hard way, by violence. It made me a very angry young man. I appreciate you. Be well!

Vijay Pandit April 2, 2023 at 5:40 AM Your ending line is the essence of productive relationships. Good lesson on parenting, Daniel. Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 5:58 AM Thank you, Vijay. I appreciate you. I can't say it works for everyone but it worked with mine. Have a wonderful day my friend.

Joanna Daniel April 2, 2023 at 2:25 AM Well said, DT, I like your hybrid sonnet:) Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 5:25 AM Thank you, Joanna. I appreciate you. Have a blessed Sunday:)

Speaks Volumes April 1, 2023 at 11:45 PM To teach by example is the way a valuable lesson is taught. A child that is respected will learn to respect for the right reasons. A child that is loved will learn to love for the right reasons. I like your poem Daniel Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 5:24 AM Thank you, Wendy. I learned it on the buckle end of a belt. Always great to see you. Have a super Sunday:)

Paul Willason April 1, 2023 at 10:14 PM A wise and thought charged poem giving voice to the learnings of a parent...an important subject. Fear quickly becomes toxic. An interesting an engaging poem Daniel, reads well. Like. Daniel Turner April 2, 2023 at 5:23 AM Thank you, Paul. Whe I was young I lived in fear of my father. It wasn't until many years later it turned to respect.. I appreciate your stopping by to read and comment. Have a wonderful day.

Valsa George April 1, 2023 at 9:01 PM Give respect and it will be returned ! Through threat or force one cannot command respect. Fear is a negative emotion and children shouldn't be coerced to fear or give respect. Wisely said Daniel. Daniel Turner April 1, 2023 at 9:06 PM Thank you, Valsa. It is a lesson I learned oh too well:) Great to see you again. Enjoy your evening:)

Deb M April 1, 2023 at 8:09 PM Beautiful and well said Daniel! Respect all the way! Debx Deb M April 1, 2023 at 8:31 PM Haha….see you soon!! From Young Lady! Debx Daniel Turner April 1, 2023 at 8:13 PM Thank you, Deb. Great to see you . It's always a pleasure. Have a wonderful day:)