Sotto Poet Poet Other

Sacred-Kuhlmann Sonnet

Written: July 28, 2026, for a contest sponsored by Brian Strand

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The poem is inspired by the sonnet “That time of year thou mayst in me behold” by William Shakespeare
This variation on Sonnet XL1 illustrates what Kuhlmann intended.
Kuhlmann is a verse poem of two phrases interspersed with three related syllabic stem- words(nouns, adjectives )with an integral title. The label and form are derived from the baroque poet Quirinus Kuhlmann's 50 sonnet form Love-kiss XLI.

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Through flame: volatile, heat, light:  
                                                the metamorphosis
by night: stygian, cimmerian, peaceful: 
                                                near oblivion
by season: perennial, vernal, brief: 
                                                ochre haze

through heart: pulse, trust, will:  
                                                 mystic confluence
from time: aeonian, transient, rigid: 
                                                 euphony linger
through creed: esoteric, hollow, dogmatic:  
                                                  undying spark

through age: golden, venerable:  
                                                  filigree prison
through soul: immortal, eternal, cosmic:  
                                                 oracular obelisk
by heaven: empyrean, elysian, celestial: 
                                                 ethereal erasure

from perpetuity: ceaseless, fixed, static: 
                                                  cenotaph sermon
through love: fervent, serene, poignant: 
                                                 amber drape
from belief: devout, pragmatic, visceral: 
                                                  inmost pulse.

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Pascal Borg August 3, 2026 at 12:27 PM Kuhlmann, a very complex, mystic character creating such complex poetic forms. Thank you sotto for introducing us to this and a BIG congrats on your deserved win.

Andrea Dietrich July 31, 2026 at 10:37 PM Congrats on an awesome trophy win! ⭐

Karen Croft July 31, 2026 at 6:39 PM congrats on your win!

sara Etgen-Baker July 31, 2026 at 10:58 AM outstanding construction and profound perspective. The depth of what you've captured here is inspirational. You have a unique talent of which I stand in awe.

MOHIT MITRA July 31, 2026 at 9:20 AM Dear Sotto, this is one of those rare poems whose architecture becomes its meaning. My eye kept returning to "through soul: immortal, eternal, cosmic: / oracular obelisk." An obelisk does not speak because it moves, but because it remains. That is precisely what I felt your form achieves: each lexical cluster appears static, yet by the time the next arrives, consciousness itself has shifted. The poem persuades not through narrative but through successive acts of perception. I finished it with the strange feeling that language had stopped describing reality and had begun arranging it. A richly deserved win—my warmest congratulations. Until the next wonder, Mohit Mitra

Howard Kerr July 31, 2026 at 8:53 AM And fellow feelings make us wondrous kind, Sotto. Congratulations on being the deserved outright victor in this contest. Your profound, prolific pen is in a league of its own. Line - empyrean, elysian, celestial: ethereal, erasure. I adore. Rounds of applause H

Hiya Sharma July 29, 2026 at 6:38 AM Dear Sotto, this is ever so amazing! Firstly I didn't know about this poetic form and the way you've introduced this really inspires me. Sounds very tricky in a way as I'm not very good at creating concise poems haha. Love everything about this, especially that part about night, time, age, soul and belief.. brilliantly articulated in every way ~ It's always a pleasure reading your extraordinary poetry, dear friend. Sending you light and best wishes. Good luck in the contest!!

Paige Hind July 29, 2026 at 12:43 AM wow,Sotto! Love this,