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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE SONNET by ALICE MARY DOWD

First Line: A SONNET IS A CAMEO, OUTWROUGHT
Last Line: AND LOVE GIVES LIFE IN BEAUTY, TO ABIDE.
Subject(s): SONNET (AS LITERARY FORM);

A sonnet is a cameo, outwrought
From banded stone by artist's careful skill,
The while he carves the stone to suit his will
It colors the expression of his thought.
A sonnet is a tree that's trimmed and taught
To grow in artificial shape, but still
The pruning shears, controlling, cannot kill
The pulse of life that turns to ways unsought.

A fountain rising in a city mart; --
A garden flower that's trained against a wall; --
A form of beauty like Pygmalion's bride.
The fountain keeps the sunshine in its heart;
The garden flower has fragrant bloom for all;
And Love gives Life in beauty, to abide.



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