Halloween Sonnet

In Costume 

I watch the clothes of leaves fall to the ground

dressed up in velvet ears as Minnie Mouse.

A garbage bag I take and leave the house

So filled with awe I do not make a sound.

The sidewalks round the block are tightly wound.

My sister lags behind, a little louse.

With fur, grey dress and paws around her blouse

we search the ground for candy to be found.

The sky turns sweet, a string of purple flame.

We ring the bells and count the chocolate bars.

The sprint through maze of streets becomes a game.

I steal the louse's food; won't take the blame.

As rainbow balls fill bags like tiny stars

I know to take candy is not a shame.

I chose the Italian sonnet form because the iambic pentameter form gives the poem a relaxed feel, which is the mood I wanted for my poem – the childhood wonder of walking around blocks to collect candy. It was difficult at first to be tied to a rhyme scheme, especially once I had chosen my first few end words. I am used to writing free verse and being able to end a line where I want it and to use any words that appeals but in sonnet form, the rhyme definitely has a drive to the poem and limits word choices. However, I discovered that playing with fixed form was a good challenge that strengthened my writing muscles. The poem went places that I wouldn't have gone if I hadn't had a certain form to follow and I expanded my horizons to get a completely new kind of poem that will only improve with practice.