[New-Poetry] Sonnet Contest, Prarie Home Companion

[Bob Grumman]

Jason Quackenbush wrote:
> can a sonnet be in dactylic hexameter? how about choriambic dodecameter?
(1) No matter how you define a set of objects, there will always be what 
I call "borblurs": objects at the borders of your definition that are 
maybe in the set, maybe not. 
(2) Ultimately, it's a subjective matter as to what constitute the 
essence of a set of objects, or what makes the objects in it what they 
most importantly are.

My subjective view is that dactyl goes against the lyrical seriousness I 
consider one of a sonnet's essentials, and that hexameters go against 
the sonnet's essential size and shape.  I consider a sonnet 
(approximately) equal in length to what I consider a full reflection for 
most people, and iambic pentameters to, well, a natural line of thought, 
and breath.  Maybe that's because I was brought up on it, but I don't 
think so.  Hexameters, I think, are longer than my innate 
thought-lines.  Maybe they're the same lengths as some others' lines of 
thought, though.  So I muse.  I don't know what a choriambic dodecameter 
is but it sounds to dumb to work for a sonnet.  I think one essence of a 
sonnet is smoothness.  So I personally would reject it and the other as 
sonnets.  As borblurs of the set, sonnets, too.  They'd probably make 
good haiku, though.

Thanks for helping me extend my draft of a blog entry, Jason!

--Bob G
.