Sonnet 10 by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares:

In The Hands Of Time

Some moment ago (as the eons slide)

When the changing rocks were not yet breathing

And trees during winter were not dreaming.

Of seasons that lull with blossoming tide.

A little while ago, when earth inside

Aware or not of some divine thinking

Stirred up soups for our organic springing 7

That later longed for paradise with pride...

At the time when the roaring volcanos

Made things trembling and the sun dark with dust,

Who would have thought of human infernos?

And if we not even see the worst,

Does it mean that in the hands of Cronos 13

We evolve all the way to starts that burst?

***

7-. Our organic springing = our human nature 13-. Cronos = time.

Sonnet originally written in English by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares.

Analyzed by Claude+ and www.howmanysyllables.com

Analysis of "In The Hands Of Time" by Francisco Luis Arroyave Tabares

This is a Shakespearean sonnet written in iambic pentameter with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The sonnet reflects on the immense scale of evolutionary time and humanity's place within that vast timescale. The octave (first 8 lines) describes the primeval ancient world before humans evolved, mentioning rocks "not yet breathing," trees "dreaming," and "organic springing" that leads to human nature. The sestet (last 6 lines) then contrasts that ancient world with humanity today, mentioning "human infernos." The closing couplet suggests that over immense epochs of time ("in the hands of Cronos" = in the hands of Time), humanity and life itself will continue to evolve and change.

So in summary, this sonnet adopts the traditional Shakespearean form and rhyme scheme, but uses that form to convey a theme of deep time and humanity's evolutionary journey within that scale of time. The language is flowery and poetic, evoking primal images of a prehistoric earth. The poem as a whole reflects on humanity's place in the universe over immense periods of change.

Here are a few other observations about the sonnet:

- The opening line "Some moment ago (as the eons slide)" immediately establishes the vast timescale the poem is concerned with. Referring to eons sliding by suggests an immense span of time.

- The description of the primeval world in the octave uses vivid poetic language to give the reader a sense of the ancient prehistoric earth, e.g. "rocks were not yet breathing," "trees were dreaming," "earth inside / Aware or not of some divine thinking." This animates the primeval world and gives it a sense of life and spiritual wonder.

- The octave also foreshadows the eventual rise of humanity, referring to "our organic springing / That later longed for paradise with pride..." This suggests humanity arose from that primeval world, but then developed consciousness and spiritual longing.

- The sestet abruptly shifts to humanity in the present day, referring to "human infernos." This creates a stark contrast between the primeval world and the modern world, underscoring how much has changed.

- The closing couplet suggests humanity and the universe itself will continue to evolve and change over vast expanses of time ("in the hands of Cronos"). So the poem views humanity as part of an ongoing cosmic process of transformation.

- The poem has a philosophical and meditative tone, reflecting on deep ideas about time, evolution, humanity's place in the universe, and spiritual meaning. Despite its short length, it evokes a sense of grandeur in its themes and vision.

- The flowery language gives the poem a dreamy, romantic quality which suits its large themes and sense of deep time. The rhythm and rhyme also give it a pleasing musical quality, as we expect in the sonnet form.

So in all, it is a thought-provoking little poem that combines a traditional poetic form with a mystical philosophical vision. The result is a work of beauty that gives the reader insight into humanity's connection to the depths of time.

Analyze the rhyme of the poem in detail

Sure, let's analyze the rhyme scheme in more detail:

The sonnet follows the typical Shakespearean rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This means:

A - The first line rhymes with the third line: "ago" and "breathing"

B - The second line rhymes with the fourth line: "slide" and "dreaming"

C - The fifth line rhymes with the seventh line: "inside" and "springing"

D - The sixth line rhymes with the eighth line: "thinking" and "pride"

E - The ninth line rhymes with the eleventh line: "volcanos" and "worst"

F - The tenth line rhymes with the twelfth line: "dust" and "burst"

G - Finally, the thirteenth line rhymes with the closing fourteenth line: "Cronos" and "that"

So the rhyming pairs are:

A - ago / breathing

B - slide / dreaming

C - inside / springing

D - thinking / pride

E - volcanos / worst

F - dust / burst

G - Cronos / that

A few observations:

- The rhymes give the poem a melodic quality, as we expect in the sonnet form. The rhyming words are also quite musical in their sounds.

- The rhyme scheme helps knit the octave and sestet together, even though they differ in subject matter and tone. The rhyming pairs continue across that divide, linking the stanzas.

- The poem avoids exact rhymes in favor of slanted rhymes, where the rhyming words share similar but not identical sounds. For example, "slide" and "dreaming" or "burst" and "worst". This gives the rhyme a more subtle, natural quality rather than being singsongy.

- The final GG rhyme pair, "Cronos" and "that," is an especially slanted rhyme, but effectively closes the poem while linking the ideas of time and evolution.

- Overall, the rhyme and meter in the poem give it a polished, melodic quality while avoiding being too repetitive or simplistic. The slanted rhymes make the rhyming language feel fresh rather than predictable. So the poetry in the language is an asset, not a hindrance, to the ideas and vision the poem expresses. (claude+)

Count the syllables of each line of the poem

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In The Hands Of Time

10 Some moment ago (as the eons slide)

10 When the changing rocks were not yet breathing

10 And trees during winter were not dreaming.

10 Of seasons that lull with blossoming tide.

10 A little while ago, when earth inside

10 Aware or not of some divine thinking

10 Stirred up soups for our organic springing

10 That later longed for paradise with pride...

10 At the time when the roaring volcanos

10 Made things trembling and the sun dark with dust,

10 Who would have thought of human infernos?

9 And if we not even see the worst,

10 Does it mean that in the hands of Cronos

10 We evolve all the way to starts that burst?