John Watt Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

Tripod

One friendless, fragile blade of grass may last
a time; fighting harsh elements alone.
Perchance it does survive the summer's blast,
in winter's freeze, its chances dim to none.
Not so the tough green carpet of spring birth;
with roots deeply entwined, it grows as one.
Its light - the sun, its nourishment - the earth;
through bitter seasons still it carries on.
That day will come and sooner than we know -
fair April's romp makes way for autumn's pain.
When scores of winters have besieged your brow - 
my weathered hand gropes, trembling, for its cane.
     A tripod, mocking winds of time stands tall -
     your heart, my soul, God's Spirit ne'er shall fall.

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Line Gauthier January 10, 2021 at 6:14 PM Nicely penned, John ~ John Watt January 10, 2021 at 10:43 PM Thank you very much Line, that means a lot to me. This was my third sonnet, from 1983 ~ John

Sam Kauffman May 16, 2020 at 1:27 AM Out of the park and over the wall! Loved this when I first read it - so happy to see it at the top of your ERA! Congratulations my friend! John Watt May 16, 2020 at 1:28 AM Thanks my friend, I owe you a soup mail...

Connie Marcum Wong May 15, 2020 at 1:07 PM What a spectacular parable to illustrate a spiritual understanding of a relationship that includes man, woman, and God’s spirit that will remain always. This beautiful poem is so deserving of your First Place win John! Congratulations! xxoo John Watt May 16, 2020 at 1:23 PM Thank you, dear Connie. You always leave such nice comments. So glad you enjoyed this one. Hugs ~ John

Aditi Mishra May 15, 2020 at 11:33 AM Dropping by again to congratulate you on your placement in the contest dear friend. I am so happy to see your poem in the list. :) John Watt May 16, 2020 at 1:29 AM Thank you my friend for coming back to say hi ~ John

Aditi Mishra May 12, 2020 at 2:10 PM Autumn is such a beautiful season and "fair April's romp makes way for autumn's pain" gives the feel that it is welcomed by nature nonetheless, to shed the leaves and be reborn. This is so soothing :) John Watt May 12, 2020 at 2:53 PM Aditi, nice comment about seasonal transitions. Nature does have a way of teaching us lessons about change and growth. God bless, John

Andrea Dietrich May 3, 2020 at 2:22 PM wow, such elegance in this writing, John. And the grass is perfect metaphor for all of us standing together. Autumns' Pain. Uggg. I feel THAT one on me!! and here comes winter (in the middle of our spring!) well done, my fellow sonneteer. John Watt May 3, 2020 at 3:10 PM I'm feeling the autumn too, though thankfully I'm not yet reaching for my cane. Though I do enjoy my walking stick when I go for a walk at the park! Thank you for commenting on the grass metaphor. Glad you liked my sonnet ~ John

Sam Kauffman May 3, 2020 at 11:58 AM Creative perspective - as always - with unique metaphor relating to you through the single blade of grass. This is a beautiful statement of your faith relationship with God. So well done! Good luck in the contest, John. Blessings my friend! You truly have a "royal" relationship with the King! John Watt May 3, 2020 at 12:29 PM My friendship and marriage with my wife has truly been the greatest blessing this earth can afford. We've always felt it was a two-legged stool without the strength and wisdom of God's Spirit abiding with us, thus the three legs. We know we couldn't have lasted 35 years without him. Thank you for reading and commenting, Sam. Always a pleasure 'playing catch' with you. ~ John

Timothy Hicks May 3, 2020 at 11:22 AM Hello again John. Your sonnet here intrigued me how the grass metaphor gradually shifted towards being about old age and standing tall against time and circumstance: that single "friendless, fragile blade". People seem to write sonnets in one or two ways, in my experience: either heavy in the abstract and emotions or solid concrete images. I'm more drawn towards the latter, and like to visualize things, like you did here in this poem. CONTINUED... Timothy Hicks May 3, 2020 at 11:23 AM Ironically, I used to have a neighbor who had a three-legged dog cleverly named "Tripod". So that connection clicked with me instantly and made me smile. PS: I very much appreciated your incredibly insightful comments on my work!