The Dutch Sonnet

A sonnet is a structured form of poetry that was commonly used by many writers of the Renaissance era. It is composed of fourteen lines that are each ten syllables in measure and follows a specific rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme, however, depends on the form of sonnet.

The Dutch form follows the pattern
a. b. a. b. a. a. c. c. d. x. d. e. f. e
It is a unique form because it is made up of two sestets interrupted by a rhyming couplet. The beginning sestet allows the speaker to lead into the poem gently, then to create a turning point with the middle couplet, and to finish strong with the closing sestet.

What follows is an example taken from my own work with this form.  

Sonnet L

In dreams do I dream of thee, calm in age,

Majestic ‘n foreign beauty and tone o’ skin;

Ever to pierce my heart with thy visage,

With eyes shaded with bold, thou is akin 

T’ my taste, and to guide my artist’s image

With thy gentle hand; a reel t’ block damage.

Thy method to retool my aperture,

To add colored paint t’ that caricature.

A possible future that thou takes t’ thread 

Through a projector that so yields us hope,

Against all odds of the lens made of lead;  

Thou strongly smites all hindrance to a halt,

With thy skill of independence in youth;

Thou does mend each of my expanding faults.

                ~ Ryan Tunison 

Comments on the structure as well as more examples are welcome and can be posted below.