Jack Webster Poet Sonnet

Sonnet

Contest: Warrior Sonnet
Sponsor: John Lawless
September 15, 2020
Petrarchan sonnet: abbaabba cdcdcd

Song of the Humble Scythe

My fellow men at arms, today we fight!
Courageous men of fields, that left the plough,
our foes have come; you hear their drums, but now
our storm will wet the soil with crimson might!
Your kin are scared to die, but hope is bright!
We are this wall of stone; you will not bow,
to foreign hands, nor foreign lands, and now
we raise the battle cry for what is right!

Take up the plough — that tills the Fields of Fate!
Take up the hoe — that weeds your earthly foe!
Take up the fork — that throws their bales of hate!
Protect your seed — that needs your love to grow!
The field is yours! The Field is yours! Now great,
we war with tools our fathers made to sow.

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Joseph Spence Sr July 16, 2021 at 2:19 PM Congratulations, and excellent post, Jack. I love the flow of the words and the impact of the message. I am very proud of you. The descriptive excellence is lovely and sends terrific images. The theme of "Warrior," stands out, and the tone moves the piece down the page with much grace. I did my share in the army. Great job! Have a fantastic day, and God's richest grace and blessings to you always. –Professor, Ambassador, Dr. Joseph S. Spence Sr. (Epulaeryu Master)!

John Lawless September 26, 2020 at 5:16 AM Jack, this is a wonderful tribute to those who "bent their plowshares into swords" over the centuries to protect their homes and families. Thank you for taking up the pen - to write. Jack Webster September 26, 2020 at 9:51 AM Thank you, John!

Carolyn Devonshire September 25, 2020 at 12:16 PM Your sonnet has a great flow, Jack, as well as a rousing call to arms. Congratulations on your win! Best wishes, Carolyn Jack Webster September 25, 2020 at 1:06 PM Thank you Carolyn!

Kim Rodrigues September 25, 2020 at 8:54 AM Congratulations, Jack! Onward plough, hoe and fork! Jack Webster September 25, 2020 at 11:40 AM Thank you, Kim!

Linda Alice Fowler September 25, 2020 at 8:26 AM Congratulations Jack! The field is yours! Linda Jack Webster September 25, 2020 at 11:40 AM Thank you Linda

Wendy Watson September 19, 2020 at 2:12 PM Jack, this is a wonderfully composed sonnet. Your call to arms in the language that the humble 'audience' would fully appreciate, with its clever farming utensil references and parallel uses is brilliant. I have never tried my hand at this particular sonnet form but I shall use yours as my master class! Jack Webster September 20, 2020 at 2:53 PM So glad you’ve enjoyed it! not necessary to have so many caesurae, but wanted it to be slightly reminiscent of the solemn tone of Anglo-Saxon hemistitches