Petrarch Battle Sonnet

By: Anonymous

Students were challenged to debate their classmates using sonnets. Who do you think won?

To be a great poet, ’tis quite the test;

Words dazzle, that’s true, but it’s form we seek

To bring forth that which yearns to be expressed.

Which is best of all? Let us take a peek.

From the mind of a great, known far and wide,

A sonnet like butter, a rhythm so smooth;

Shakespeare, no doubt, pushes others aside;

Follow his plan, like honey you’ll soothe.

Some call another good, better, I dare;

While decent, I must bid his fans adieu;

This man’s structure simply cannot compare;

Six lines to sum up? I’ll do it in two:

Others may claim your work is up to par,

Petrarch, my man, no one knows who you are.