An uncommon clink of loose coined metal
Compelled me to think quickly on catched breath.
Sparkling delight with rich minted luster
I summoned forward my most ample breast.
My Knight I dreamed! Oh, my Dragon Slayer!
Images careened, sixpence in my shoe–
Such suspense, a bridal dress to tailor,
Lloyds of London, a fairy tale come true.
My Quest, a cocked tailed wren at my pillow
Leaves by yon window, curious fellow–
Out for more sneaky fleeting liaisons
Nestling mothers, innocent courtesans.
By St. George, I thought half a sovereign I'd found!
Lo My God, but to a worthless farthing I'm bound!
Augustus / Folsom, LA / November 2016
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Author:
Augustus (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: November 22nd, 2016 08:43
- Comment from author about the poem: My first try at a sonnet. Many feel they have found their shining knight only to divine later, he was not what he appeared to be. The half sovereign coin was minted under different monarchs for centuries. The coin is embossed with a likeness of St. George slaying a dragon. For a brief time it was easily confused with the much less valuable farthing which was similar in size. This was such a problem that the farthing for a while was chemically stained black to avoid confusion. In later years the image on the farthing was replaced with a wren, a bird common in Europe. The male wren is polygamous. With inflation the farthing became almost worthless and ceased to be legal tender in Dec. of 1960. A silver sixpence in the bride's shoe was a good luck gesture placed there by a family member, usually the bride's father. .
- Category: Humor
- Views: 57
Offline)
Comments4
Very very clever! You are right. Not everything turns out the way we envision. This is an interesting piece. I very much like that and thanks for the Author's Note.
Thanks WBL.
This is a beautiful sonnet, Thanks for the authors notes, it really helped decipher a very well written and interesting piece!!
Yea, I thought it would not make much sense without it. Thanks.
WOW "A" SORRY IU MISSED THIS ONE ~ IT'S A GEM. hanks for the lesson on pre-decimal currency ~ It's like me telling you about the History of Thanksgiving ! A full sovereign today is worth £250 about $400 ! I have six I inherited from my Granddad ! Loved your poem ~ it is an excellent example of a sonnet ~ 14 lines ~ good rhyme pattern and the final two lines a rhyming doublet ~ well done _ Thanks for caring (about UK history) and sharing with us BRITS ~ Yours BRIAN
Thanks. I came across the line sixpence in her shoe in a novel and it prompted me to read about your currency. Then when I saw that the wren was polygamous this idea came to mine. Thanks for your comment.
I am glad you commented on my poem or I might not have found this one of yours ,it falls into place a little more each time I read it ,I think it's excellent.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
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