Sonnet 11 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:
Aimless Pilgrimage
To the old days I went to gather seeds
Plus things that still come to my memory
Of places that once contoured history
And now are shadows that some sigil reads. 4
I see with a glance the worlds wisdom feeds
And view all heights and stars shining glory
Reviewing dreams that lead to mystery
And roots of myths from times of bows and reads.
But the reality lies far beyond
This ardent pilgrimage that look so dark
Thinking of power and its toys that blast.
When we think of love of which we are fond
It is unfair to depend on a spark
To enter ages that are worst than any past.
***
4-. Sigil = any image or sing of having some mysterious power in magic, or astrology.
Sonnet originally written in English by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares.
Analyzed by GPT4 and www.howmanysyllables.com
Analysis of "Aimless Pilgrimage" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares
Sonnet 11 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares, titled "Aimless Pilgrimage," is written in the form of a Shakespearean (or English) sonnet. This type of sonnet consists of 14 lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABABCDCDEFEFGG. The poem is divided into three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet.
The poem explores themes of nostalgia, memory, and the passage of time. The speaker embarks on a journey to the past, seeking to gather seeds and memories from historical places. The imagery used in the poem, such as "shadows," "sigil," and "worlds wisdom feeds," suggests a sense of mystery and magic associated with the past.
The poem also touches on the theme of human ambition and the pursuit of power, as well as the idea of love transcending time. The speaker acknowledges the darkness and uncertainty of the present, and questions the reliance on a "spark" to enter a future that may be worse than the past.
In terms of its structure, the poem follows the iambic pentameter, which is a metrical pattern commonly used in English sonnets. Each line consists of five pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables, giving the poem a rhythmic flow.
Overall, "Aimless Pilgrimage" is a contemplative and introspective poem that delves into the complexities of human experience, memory, and the passage of time. The use of vivid imagery and the Shakespearean sonnet form contribute to the poem's evocative and thought-provoking nature.
Building on the analysis of "Aimless Pilgrimage," the poem can also be seen as a reflection on the human desire to connect with the past and understand the roots of our existence. The speaker's journey to "gather seeds" and explore "places that once contoured history" suggests a longing to uncover the origins of our collective story and the myths that have shaped our understanding of the world.
The poem's exploration of love and power further emphasizes the timeless nature of these themes, as they have been central to human experience throughout history. The speaker's mention of "power and its toys that blast" could be interpreted as a critique of humanity's destructive tendencies, while the reference to love highlights the enduring importance of this emotion in our lives.
The final couplet of the poem serves as a cautionary note, warning against relying on a mere "spark" to guide us into a future that may be even more challenging than the past. This sentiment encourages the reader to reflect on the importance of learning from history and considering the consequences of our actions as we move forward.
In conclusion, "Aimless Pilgrimage" is a thought-provoking poem that invites the reader to contemplate the complexities of human experience, the passage of time, and the lessons we can learn from history. By employing the Shakespearean sonnet form and rich imagery, Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares effectively conveys the timeless nature of these themes and encourages introspection and reflection.
Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail
In "Aimless Pilgrimage," the rhyme scheme follows the pattern of a Shakespearean (or English) sonnet, which is ABABCDCDEFEFGG. To analyze the rhyme in detail, let's break down the poem line by line and identify the end rhymes:
A: To the old days I went to gather seeds (1)
B: Plus things that still come to my memory (2)
A: Of places that once contoured history (3)
B: And now are shadows that some sigil reads. (4)
C: I see with a glance the worlds wisdom feeds (5)
D: And view all heights and stars shining glory (6)
C: Reviewing dreams that lead to mystery (7)
D: And roots of myths from times of bows and reads. (8)
E: But the reality lies far beyond (9)
F: This ardent pilgrimage that look so dark (10)
E: Thinking of power and its toys that blast. (11)
F: When we think of love of which we are fond (12)
G: It is unfair to depend on a spark (13)
G: To enter ages that are worst than any past. (14)
The poem consists of three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final rhymed couplet. In each quatrain, the first and third lines rhyme with each other (A and C), and the second and fourth lines rhyme with each other (B and D). The final couplet has a distinct rhyme (G) that sets it apart from the rest of the poem.
The use of end rhymes in "Aimless Pilgrimage" contributes to the poem's musicality and helps to create a sense of unity and coherence. The rhymes also serve to emphasize key words and ideas, drawing the reader's attention to the themes and imagery explored throughout the poem.
Count the syllables of each line of the poem
(www.howmanysyllables.com)
Aimless Pilgrimage
10 To the old days I went to gather seeds
10 Plus things that still come to my memory
10 Of places that once contoured history
10 And now are shadows that some sigil reads.
10 I see with a glance the worlds wisdom feeds
10 And view all heights and stars shining glory
10 Reviewing dreams that lead to mystery
10 And roots of myths from times of bows and reads.
10 But the reality lies far beyond
10 This ardent pilgrimage that look so dark
10 Thinking of power and its toys that blast.
10 When we think of love of which we are fond
10 It is unfair to depend on a spark
12 To enter ages that are worst than any past.
