Notes About The Poem

When faced with mid-life crisis, some middle-aged men buy a racy, red sports car or try to pick up and date a girl half their age—or even younger—or both. As an aspiring poet, I, however, am relegated to merely writing a Shakespearean sonnet provided below to console myself with.

Sorrow O'er Youth and Young Love Lost


When I look on my life that's now half-spent,
     I sigh the loss of youth that's forever past,
wishing myself better Fortune's consent,
     love, friends, and wealth with naught to lose or waste, 

but for the mean expense of young love lost;
     despising this, I oft' bemoan the loss
of vestal company's first time the most;
     for matrons offend like mouldering moss,

which, like Time's sure, inexorable march,
     destroys the juvenescence of life's spring
year by year till extinguishing Youth's torch,
     a dead flame for which I am most desiring.

If I could live and love anew once more,
I'd not err this time: and lay a rude whore.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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Lindley Avatar
July 11, 2018 at 9:42 AM
GREAT SONNET MY FRIEND. That truth comes from a poet's heart and its gifting may aid others is a blessing! This is a superb sonnet and the last two verses, show regret and one of life's mistakes.One that many a wild young lad has made. A fav , my very talented friend!
Nguyen Avatar
July 11, 2018 at 10:01 AM
Robert, Thank you again for liking and warmly praising my sonnet! I really appreciate it. As for life's mistakes, I suppose that besides regret all one can do to get something positive out of them is to write at least one good sonnet or two, eh? Ngoc. :-)
De Beaulieu Avatar
June 8, 2018 at 5:58 PM
Hello Ngoc, this is a beautiful sonnet. Have a nice evening my friend.
Nguyen Avatar
June 8, 2018 at 9:31 PM
Thanks, Darlene, for commenting and for liking my sonnet. I appreciate it very much. Ngoc. :-)
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