Reviews from

Petrarchan Symphony

a Petrarchan Sonnet

22 total reviews 
Comment from Sandra du Plessis
Excellent
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A very well-written rhyming poem and Petrarchan Sonnet about finding the correct environment that is in harmony with your own personal symphony where you feel comfortable.

 Comment Written 20-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 20-Jan-2021
    Thanks so much Sandra!!

    Melissa
Comment from Jasmine Girl
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I really like this poem, and still, do after reading it several times. I love the fact you choose Brahms and Bach to soothe your mood. I'm a classical music lover and totally understand it. I really like the last two lines and the rhyming of "cacophony and symphony". I'm glad you didn't change them.

Exceptionally done.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 20-Jan-2021
    Hi Lisa. I so appreciate your wonderful review and thoughts about this Petrarchan style sonnet. I am so enjoying the class and I am glad you are in it with me :)

    Melissa
Comment from lyenochka
Excellent
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It's so cool you're learning so many different sonnet forms! I admire you! You do such a great job in describing that wind and the rain. I liked how you were going to drown out the noise with Bach or Brahms. The poem concludes well in finding peace in the storm through music!

Suggestion:
Amidst the raging storms cacophony, (storm's)

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 20-Jan-2021
    Thank you very much, Helen. So glad you liked this sonnet. I will edit the possessive. :)

    Melissa
Comment from DonandVicki
Excellent
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With the wind whipping outside and a torrent of rain about to come down, a fireplace and a good poem like yours is comforting. Thank you for giving me something warm and fuzzy to read tonight...again.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2021
    Hello D&A... thank you for your lovely comments. I hope poetry and a mug of warmth will get you through your storm :)

    Melissa
Comment from Gloria ....
Excellent
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This is a terrific Petrarchan Sonnet, and just the right choice, in my opinion to enter into a rhyming contest.

Your iambic pentameter is pristine and your rhymes fresh and carry forward a lovely pensive state of mind.

I am thoroughly enjoying Jim's students' offerings and this is spectacular.

Wishing you much luck with the Contest Committee.

Gloria

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2021
    Thank you very much Gloria. I really enjoy this class and the stretching challenges that are thrown at us... we are now advancing into the Milton era with his style... not much different than the Italian versions in my opinion. I am looking forward to the final Pushkin Sonnet and have decided to include hedgerows... you know, the scruffy, lush kind. :)

    Melissa
Comment from Janice Canerdy
Excellent
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Your Petrarchan sonnet is excellent in every respect--skillfully and creatively written and very descriptive of how one might find peace even during a storm. Music is, you could almost say, magical.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2021
    Hi Janice. Thank you very much. I am enjoying the class and I find that these different sonnet forms are interesting and a challenge. Much appreciated.

    Melissa
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Excellent
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This is an excellent poem, that pays a good tribute (despite its last rhyming couplet) to an excellent class. I think you show a good appreciation of the poem form, with a solid turn in the ninth line.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2021
    Thanks so much, Katherine. When I heard that the closing sestet could have any rhyme scheme, I naturally gravitated to a rhyming couplet... who knew those Italians had banned it ;). I am enjoying the class too and really appreciate your poetic talent!!

    Melissa
reply by Katherine M. (k-11) on 20-Jan-2021
    I like reading poetry, but writing it is hard for me, as you must have noted. And I find it difficult to keep track of everything we're doing it's so dense. Thrilling, but dense. I asked Jim if I could post the first two (mainly to clear my head a bit) but he said not yet... so I am living feeling as though I am about to burst. I need to take a step back, but it's not easy as that to me means exercise and we are living under curfew and on the verge of a third lockdown here at the moment.
reply by the author on 20-Jan-2021
    Oh my, Katherine. I had no idea that your world was closing in on you. I just went ahead and posted mine and didn?t think anything of it... perhaps, I should have waited or asked permission. Ooops. We do seem to be covering a lot of ground with these sonnets ... and quickly too.. I haven?t started my Miltonian yet. Ugh, best get started. Thanks, my friend.

    Melissa
reply by Katherine M. (k-11) on 21-Jan-2021
    In that pre-meeting we had , the boss said we had to wait for his permission to post. As I have zero experience of sonnets I am waiting for this permission. I have finished my Miltonic, but it's a strange one. Don't know whether to give it in or start over. I will see how the morning pans out (I'm up to my six impossible things before breakfast already).
Comment from June Sargent
Excellent
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I can feel the warmth of the raging fireplace, hear the howling winds and the muffled tunes of the slowly chiming grandfather clock. And I would just shut my eyes and imagine I was someplace else - carried off by my music. Well done - even if you did break the rules!

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2021
    Thank you June. To be honest, when I read that the closing sestet could have any rhyme scheme, I naturally gravitated to the rhyming couplet. I like it so much better... who knew the Italians had banned it ;). Lol. They must have been going through a pandemic or something. Haha.

    Melissa
Comment from country ranch writer
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Te sound of the rain on the roof can be soothing to most folks but also confining to those who are used to beingacrive outdoors.

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2021
    Hi Barbara... thanks so much for your lovely review. Glad you liked the sonnet!!

    Melissa
reply by country ranch writer on 19-Jan-2021
    😀👌
Comment from royowen
Excellent
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I often think, who has the right to set the boundaries for anything? Obviously Petrarch knew that we tend to be like sheep, and even in the stakes of mood, Petrarch realised he made the rules anyway, I love it, it breaks the mould. This is superbly written Dear friend, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 19-Jan-2021


reply by the author on 19-Jan-2021
    Hello Roy. Thanks so very much. So glad you liked it!!

    Melissa
reply by royowen on 19-Jan-2021
    Well done Melissa.