Here is how Monika Rose converted a free verse poem to a Sonnet form — see the poem titled “Father” below the sonnet titled “Fish”, which was transformed from the free verse form.
Conversion to an English Sonnet (time: 2 hours)
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Start with a situation and a statement of a condition, situation, or event which begins a plot or set of complications or logical argument—there should be a motive behind the speech:
The Fish
My father taught me how to swim to life He must have seen my sudden fetal crawl My body slicing membranes like a knife While gasping, choking, wriggling in the squall
Continue with elements or aspects of that condition or situation and be sure to further the story — there should be a complication or advancement of the narrative:
How I kicked my legs and leaped into his world Beginning struggle at an early stroke And like a butterfly in flight unfurled To wings of infant innocence he spoke
Add the volta (9th line — a turn or some kind of complication or reversal) Then an explanation or elaboration . . .
Push off the heart he warned when leaving home And turn like silver lest you lose retreat Keep moving under water and its foam So journey take you back where all ends meet
Add a resolution or solution to some aspect of the situation set up:
The backstroke takes you far into the start The breast stroke brings you back into your heart.
Finished! Fait accomplit! Finished sonnet:
— from River by the Glass, A Collection of Poems by Monika Rose The Fish
My father taught me how to swim to life He must have seen my sudden fetal crawl My body slicing membranes like a knife While gasping, choking, wriggling in the squall How I kicked my legs and leaped into his world Beginning struggle at an early stroke And like a butterfly in flight unfurled To wings of infant innocence he spoke
Push off the heart he warned when leaving home And turn like silver lest you lose retreat Keep moving under water and its foam So journey take you back where all ends meet
The backstroke takes you far into the start The breast stroke brings you back into your heart. |
— from River by the Glass, A Collection of Poems by Monika Rose
Father
Prenatal
He watched from the outside
As I swam inside
The breast stroke
The butterfly
He watched
As I swam out
Wriggled
Gasped
Choked
Parental
This is the crawl he spoke
The fastest stroke
Kick your legs
Pull your arms
Cup your hands
This is the breast stroke
Push out from the heart
This is the butterfly
Unfold your wings
This is the backstroke
Retreat sometimes
Paternal
My father the fish
Who taught
Me how to
Stroke ripples
Blow bubbles
Gulp quickly
Push away
And swim back