poetry anthology: poem 1

Sonnets as Lyric Poetry

The word “lyric” comes from the Latin “lyricus" meaning “of or for the lyre.” Some of the best examples of lyric poetry come from Italian and English sonnets. In lyric poetry, the mood is musical and emotional. The writer of a lyric poem uses words that express his state of mind, his perceptions, or his feelings.

Poem N° 1:

Italian Sonnet

Turn back the heart you've turned away
Give back your kissing breath
Leave not my love as you have left
The broken hearts of yesterday
But wait, be still, don't lose this way
Affection now, for what you guess
May be something more, could be less
Accept my love, live for today.

Your roses wilted, as love spurned
Yet trust in me, my love and truth

Dwell in my heart, from which you've turned
My strength as great as yours aloof.
It is in fear you turn away
And miss the chance of love today!

James DeFord
July, 1997

I have chosen this sonnet because it is about the difficulty of love and while you are reading this poem, words are transforming into images that come from and to your heart... that make you experience deep feelings...

This image represents the moment when the author is talking about her roses wilting, it means her love for him is dying.

She fears that whatever happened the first time they both fell in love will happen again...