Tis the season for sonnets

As part of our ongoing study of poetry genres, Mr. Windham's class read several types of sonnets by different authors, culminating in the students writing their own sonnets. A challenge in this assignment was to achieve perfect rhyme scheme and meter while still communicating something meaningful. Here is one excellent example from 11th grader Jennifer Vu:

1132

He calls it love, but I cannot agree.

We’re surely rivals, always quarelling.

It’s not affection; even he can see.

Our tension, piercing, leaves an aching sting.

But once or twice, we catch our eyes entwined.

Intentions silent, words unspoken still,

But meanings always pass between us fine.

Entangled always, such as heaven wills.

Though short, the moments he and I unite

Are moments even seas cannot erode.

But time and time again, we lose our sight.

Our progress, idle, yields to hateful odes.

A sigh escaped my lips, a muted wish.

Can’t help admitting he’s my lover-ish.