It is a Shakespearean sonnet written in iambic pentameter & the rhyming scheme is: a-b-a-b, c-d-c-d, e-f-e-f, g-g
In Greek Mythology, Merope was one of the seven Pleiades. Astronomically, she is one of the seven sisters in the star cluster Pleiades in the constellation of Taurus.
I believe the correct pronounciation of Merope is 'Me-ro-pee'.
Merope
When I behold the silver crusted sky
you turn away, too shamed to meet my gaze.
Oh Merope, I bid thee do not cry -
What kindles your sidereal malaise?
Is it Orion’s chase that makes thee weep?
Did marrying a mortal bring you shame?
Each night before Erebus fosters sleep
I seek the wellhead whence your sorrow came.
Amidst the navy cloth of night you gleam,
A glowing sapphire stitched on heaven’s cloak.
Yet pulchritude does not beget esteem -
Your heart lies scorched ‘midst clouds of stellar smoke.
Switch off your starry light and let me be
your constellation for eternity.
The way you painted these images with metaphors and mythology, negotiating the human essence that really matters in a material Universe. I love this poem! I have a particular affinity to Shakespearean sonnets, to Greek mythology, and a great fascination for celestial objects and to have a poet like you writing about all this, is nectar to my soul. Thank you, Peter. Q x
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful Peter..woven together with gorgeous language..I love it! x
ReplyDeleteQuirina ~ such incredible comments. Thank you so much. I too have an affinity with those three things. I had decided on a celestial subject & decided to explore the constellations to find her. Of the Pleiades, Merope's 'story' was the saddest so I chose her. Again, sincere thanks for all your encouraging & supportive comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Louise ~ thank you sincerely for your lovely comments. So pleased that you like my sonnet. I truly did have doubts about it at first.
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteA wonderful and beautiful sonnet! That it is your first makes it all the more so :)
I have yet again expanded my knowledge in looking up the words you incorporate within your poetry.
Thankyou for writing and sharing this.
Abi x
The stars will smile at you, Peter, now that they know your love and attention to there existence
ReplyDeleteHi Abi ~ thank you for your wonderful comments. It was an 'interesting' process: a mixture of intense frustration when I couldn't find the words to rhyme or fit the rhythm ... & then exhilaration when a piece of the sonnet came together.
ReplyDeleteHi Edjo ~ thank you so much for reading 'Merope' & for your lovely comment. I hope they do ... & I hope they smile on you too.
ReplyDeleteLove this line Peter "Amidst the navy cloth of night you gleam" - I used something similar in one of my poems describing the dark of night as a "... nocturnal cloak ..." ~ no doubts Peter, a great sonnet ! Well done !
ReplyDeleteHi Steve ~ thanks for your lovely comments. I would love to read your sonnet ~ is there a link to it?
ReplyDeleteThe fun part about the first sonnet is what you think of it after you write your fifth, your tenth your fiftieth..
ReplyDeleteGood point Zongrik ~ though I have to say I'm struggling to imagine reaching five, never mind fifty ...
ReplyDeleteIf this is your first attempt at writing a sonnet, you could have fooled me. Everything seems to fit, and I am particularly hooked by the phrase"pulchtridue does not beget esteem" that was a brave thing to say in a sonnet! Beautifully done in its entirety!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your extremely positive & encouraging comments, Jacquie. Very much appreciated.
ReplyDelete