A Calendar Of Sonnets - December

By Helen Hunt Jackson

Sonnet
    The lakes of ice gleam bluer than the lakes     Of water 'neath the summer sunshine gleamed:     Far fairer than when placidly it streamed,     The brook its frozen architecture makes,     And under bridges white its swift way takes.     Snow comes and goes as messenger who dreamed     Might linger on the road; or one who deemed     His message hostile gently for their sakes     Who listened might reveal it by degrees.     We gird against the cold of winter wind     Our loins now with mighty bands of sleep,     In longest, darkest nights take rest and ease,     And every shortening day, as shadows creep     O'er the brief noontide, fresh surprises find.

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
<s> This sonnet transforms winter’s harshness into a vision of ethereal beauty, blending icy precision with fleeting grace. Its 14-line structure adheres to the Petrarchan form, with an octave introducing vivid imagery glistening ice, frozen brooks, and delicate snow while its volta, marked by a shift in tone and focus, arrives in the ninth line. The voice adopts a measured, almost reverent cadence, with iambic pentameter lending a rhythmic harmony to the contrasts between stillness and motion, cold and warmth. The poem’s sounds soft sibilance and crisp alliteration mirror the season’s contradictions, while the final sestet pivots to a more contemplative stance, framing winter as a time of repose and unexpected wonder. The closing couplet, with its suggestive imagery of shadows creeping and surprises found, subtly redefines winter not as a mere adversary but as a season rich with latent possibilities.

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.