Woman.

By Jean Blewett

Sonnet
        Not faultless, for she was not fashioned so,          A mingling of the bitter and the sweet;         Lips that can laugh and sigh and whisper low          Of hope and trust and happiness complete,         Or speak harsh truths; eyes that can flash with fire,          Or make themselves but wells of tenderness         Wherein is drowned all bitterness and ire -          Warm eyes whose lightest glance is a caress.         Heaven sent her here to brighten this old earth,          And only heaven fully knows her worth.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This sonnet, penned in iambic pentameter with a loose Shakespearean rhyme scheme, portrays a woman of profound complexity, neither idealized nor condemned. The speaker’s admiration is evident in the balanced contrast of her traits laughter and sorrow, fiery intensity and gentle tenderness rendered through vivid sensory imagery. The volta arrives in the final couplet, shifting from earthly observation to divine reverence, suggesting her transcendent beauty. Rhythmic cadences and alliterative flourishes (harsh truths, bitterness and ire) heighten the poem’s emotional resonance, while the absence of a strict rhyme in the penultimate line creates a subtle tension, mirroring the subject’s duality. The closing lines elevate her to an almost celestial status, yet the poem’s restraint prevents sentimentality. The deliberate avoidance of direct address or personal involvement keeps the focus on her intrinsic worth, making her a timeless archetype of human compassion.

Understanding the Sonnet

The sonnet is one of the most enduring and celebrated forms of poetry, known for its strict structure and profound themes. With a history spanning centuries, sonnets have been used to explore love, beauty, politics, and mortality, all within the confines of just 14 lines.

Sonnets are characterized by their precise form and rhyme scheme, which vary depending on the type of sonnet. Here’s a closer look:

  • Shakespearean (English) Sonnet: Composed of three quatrains followed by a final couplet, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. This form often builds a complex argument or narrative, culminating in a powerful closing statement.
  • Petrarchan (Italian) Sonnet: Divided into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines), with a typical rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA for the octave, followed by various patterns in the sestet such as CDECDE or CDCDCD. The octave usually presents a problem, with the sestet providing a resolution.
  • Meter: Sonnets are traditionally written in iambic pentameter, which gives the poem a rhythmic and melodic quality that enhances its emotional impact.

The sonnet’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to condense complex emotions and ideas into a small but potent package, making it a favorite form for poets seeking to explore profound themes with precision and elegance.