Morphed into Sonnet Form Preview

English (Shakespearean) Sonnet 14-line poem 3 quatrains (4-line stanzas) followed by 1 couplet (2-line verse) Rhyming scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG]



WHAT DO I KNOW?! An ever-present question is if my biophysics is correct or NOT. I remember my college major. I’m not sure WHY. With math & science, I’m right a LOT. When it comes to calculations, I ain’t SHY. Since my accident, I question myself MORE. My resulting injuries required many implanted SCREWS. Physically & Emotionally, I’m still very SORE. In the game of Life, I did at the time LOSE. I do not judge by how he or she ACTS. Numerous instances are more than what I SEE. I don’t concern myself with opinions. Only FACTS. Before my accident, my intelligence rated quite HIGHLY. I know I’m still smart. So, does that make me HAUGHTY? Unfortunately, my memory’s now very SPOTTY. 193



Italian (Petrarchan) Sonnet Fourteen-line poem: • 1 octave (8-line stanza followed by 1 sestet (6-line stanza) • Rhyming scheme of ABBAABBA CDCCDC (or CDECDE)].



BEIN’ MORE SOCIAL It sure seems like my Traumatic Brain Injury scared away all my FRIENDS. Now it appears I have a scarcity of PALS. I miss people, … both guys & GALS. My muscles ignore most o’ the neural messages my brain SENDS. My mind never breaks. It merely BENDS. With my peers, I’d travel to several LOCALES. I almost hear too much, thanks to my squeaky-clean ear CANALS. Will I regain popularity, when my T.B.I. ENDS? It sure is tough, since I cannot use a PHONE. Since I point to letters on my board, I’ve gotta meet face-to- FACE. If asked, I’d first do research, then hand out a LOAN. Just ’cuz I’m in the ZONE, Does not mean I want alotta SPACE. Alas, … To each, … his OWN. 197



Spenserian Sonnet 14-line poem: • 3 quatrains (4-line stanza) followed by 1 couplet (2-line verse) • Rhyming scheme of ABAB BCBC CDCD EE].



MY OWN BOSS Despite my mental obstacles, seven employees of whom I’m in CHARGE. Any & all discontent I must APPEASE. This T.B.I. I WORK ~18 hours a day to DISCHARGE. When my brain [neurologically] barks at my muscles to move, they just FREEZE. Regulating order comes with relative EASE. The trick is to somehow keep most parties HAPPY. I hafta act as if it’s really just a BREEZE. In the face of difficulty, I am quite SCRAPPY. Throughout all, I’ve struggled to remain SNAPPY. One thing that’ll never vanish is my PRIDE. As an employer, I can’t be warm & SAPPY. In my bed, I’ll often BIDE. I considered ruling with an iron FIST. But. I prefer my governance with a humorous TWIST. 201



Limerick Five-line witty poem with a distinctive rhythm. Rhyming scheme of AABBA.



WORKIN’ HARD OR HARDLY WORKIN’? Yes, I’m in the midst of an epic BOUT. True, there are many times I could breakdown & POUT. … But, that just ain’t how I ROLL. For future T.B.I. recoveries, I’m raisin’ the POLE. My commendable, award-winning past gives me much CLOUT. 205

MOTIVATION Thankfully, I never need a metaphorical PUSH. I work my hammies, so I’ve got a strong TUSH. I wanna meet a woman oh, so FINE. We’ll go out to laugh & DINE. I yearn for the day m’ lady tells me to “SHUSH!” 206

COMPENSATION With the temporary loss of my legs, I strengthen my ARMS. I’ve always preferred hand-to-hand combat to FIREARMS. With no voice, I try for CHARADES. I know too much, … ‘cuz I had the best GRADES. My bulging biceps might … sound the ALARMS. 207



Couplet 2 lines of verse—untitled—which rhyme and form a unit alone.



I have such an overabundance of SMARTS, That I incorporated much of it into my martial arts. Unfortunately, the highway focused so much force upon my HEAD, That I SHOULD be DEAD. My, oh, my. How A.J. BEGS For the use of his LEGS! How do I get through this painstaking rehabilitation FAST? … So, I can turn these wretched days into my … PAST? Over the course of this rehabilitation’s looooong LENGTH, I’ve developed alotta compensatory arm STRENGTH. Gosh darnit, I’m not a cartoon … by SIGHT! … I’d love my ideas to turn-on a picture of a LIGHT! On my mistakes, I cannot just sit & DWELL. ‘Cuz, overall, I’m actually doin’ considerably WELL. 211

?! ‘Tis haiku that rhyme. All tell of my epic climb. Without words, I mime. FIVE syllables first. Then, SEVEN shows NOT the worst. Lastly, FIVE is versed. Questions about work? Please see my diligent clerk. Writing reveals quirk. Must be in order. I’ve seen that as a border … for brain disorder. Strangely, all this time Somehow stimulated rhyme. Is that a CRIME?! It comes from Japan. Syllable number you’ll scan. What a KICKASS plan! 212





EVEN MORE?! (No, no, no, … no! This can’t be right. Am I that desperate for activities? Am I that creative?) (... Well, um, yes & a resounding “hellz yeah!”) 215



Haiku 3 NON-rhyming lines: 5 syllables, 7 syllables then 5 syllables.



UNTITLED As I walk & TALK— Ak-shuh-lee, I do NEITHER, I think long & HARD.

I’m good with haiku. Thus, do I boast high I.Q.? As sure as sky’s blue. 220

Love has to have trust. I thought ‘twas deep. … just the crust. Honesty … a must. 221

Just because I’m Boss, Doesn’t mean I can’t feel LOSS. No like me, when CROSS. 222

Addicted to screen. Off my interest, must WEEN. Surprising I’m lean. 223

Still dig numerals. I’ve injured both humorals. Don’t like funerals. 224

Long for “only one!” I once thought my search was done. I dread … setting sun. 225

Future was once bright. Now, tend to constantly write. Unused neural right. 226

In past, … best grades … by myself. Now, I need aides. Whole life is Charades. 227

Could go off on rant About how friends are now scant. I prefer a chant. 228

The loss of my friends Would break one’s mind. … mine just bends … ‘til T.B.I. Ends. 229

My health must seem grim, If my doc won’t let me swim. … How do I stay trim? 230

Ever-changing mood. Can be excessively crude To not seem that prude. 231

Altan’s injured brain Enigmatically shows sane. … May also be bane. 232

Throughout all, … keep hope. Don’t wander around & mope. … That’d make you a dope. 233

I learned lots in school. How can I swim in my pool? Am I a big fool? 234

Some think inappropes. Beyond my initial hopes. Long since been approached. 235

More years means more wise. Read intelligence in eyes. My smarts?! … not a guise. 236

Smart’s sexy … to me. Scared of my desperate glee. My success, … you’ll see. 237

How’s my cash funny? Went from bio to money. Make sweet like honey. 238

Buying groceries Was fun, … brought me no worries. Need more coteries? 239

If no use, you lose. No T.B.I. … rather bruise. M’ girl was my muse. 240