Sonnet competition

Tis not the calm bright day that tests our grit Nor guarded safe repose within our lair. No test is it to keep a candle lit, When winds are still and placid skies are fair.  Within the tossing tumult of a storm, No way to steer and know where we are bound, Where all around a knurling evil swarms, It's there our own true inner peace is found.  So many of our demons we invent. They circle waiting for our faith to fail. We have within the spirit to prevent, So even in our death we will prevail.  There in the midst of all we are set free, To want, to love, to strive, or just to be.     

Enraptured by a butterfly one day, I watched her from beneath a shady tree. She flitted all about, then stopped to stay upon a flower; how delightfully she lingered there, a fascinating sight! Her wings were blue, a most enchanting hue against the flower’s petals pink and white. Entranced, I stared at her until she flew away. Then suddenly I found that I was wafting with the wind above the land! My arms were wings the color of the sky, and dreamily I viewed the earth so grand. As if by magic, I turned out to be The butterfly that captivated me!   

It seems the world consists of two by two, And outcast ones are freakish by compare; I used to be a half of two with you, But now it’s only me, as you’re not there. The sun appears to hide in clouds above, My head replaying times with you around; I see you walking with your newest love And shuffle past, my eyes upon the ground. I tried to keep your love but you moved on; Attempts to reconcile have fallen flat; All hope is lost, I know, and you are gone; I lost, my rival won, and that is that. Although our love has surely met its end, I hope I will not lose you as a friend.  For Karen’s Shakespearian Sonnet contest

When love is weighed against a precious stone, The diamond surely earns its flawless boast. As cruel time eats flesh and powders bone, The rock retains one form, outlasting most.  While love alone won’t even tip the scale, The crowning jewels could own the world;  While faith and loyalty can often fail, The purity of gems can’t be unfurled.  Keeping love alive is an endeavor, While a diamond’s luster never teeters. Everyone knows diamonds are forever Yet fragility makes love much sweeter.  White diamonds are reduced to common sand While slipping in between my sweetheart's hands. 

Contemplate the life of a butterfly Oh, wonder at the beauty of its flight Enjoy a small miracle as it flutters by And follow its path until its out of sight  Fairy wings, but it was not always so Metamorphosis in its family tree A caterpillar just some time ago Now no longer earthbound it flies free  From flower to flower drinking deep Always on the lookout for a mate For it has a rendezvous to keep A brief but lovely life its fate  So when you see those gauzy wings go by Thank God and nature for the butterfly     

Thou art to me the fairest crimson rose, A tender bloom with dawn's first colour gilt; Yet ev'ry flow'r in mortal clime that grows, Is here for but a time, and then does wilt. By all I e'er held dear, I now aver, That though a rose may wilt, yet still 'tis sweet; I only hope a place I could secure In fondest adoration at thy feet. For fairness found in form and face will fail, But that within the heart may shine undimmed; Though nothing for youth's beauty may avail, A heart with golden deeds may yet be rimmed. My Juliet, in truth I do declare, I love thee not for youthful beauty fair. 

You know, it’s strange how much our sense of smell Associates itself with past events. The slightest whiff is all we need to dwell A hundred miles away or decades hence.  The smell of new-mown hay or baking bread Now brings to mind my happy Hampshire roots And heady scent of hyacinth has led  Me to a cottage in a wood where owls hoot.  The rich aroma of an open fire With blackened teacakes on a toasting fork, Transporting tired spirits even higher Through fragrant bluebell woods on family walks.  So many memories, frozen in time Until that unique scent will make them chime.  2 February 2014