The Uncaptured Sonnet

 Last night a sonnet danced around my head.
A pest, it was insistent that I write
of truth and beauty on a page. Instead
I said my daily prayers and doused the light.
I felt tomorrow would be soon enough
to capture song the sonnet offered me.
Yes, I would polish edges that were rough,
but in the gray of early dawn, I see
a remnant on the floor, a fervent start
that lost its flare because I let it die.
Its fading sparkles touch my aching heart
with true remorse as solemn moments fly.

I must admit, because I did not care,
I have one sonnet less to love and share.

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LaVern Spencer McCarthy, a Texas native, has published eight books of poetry and four books of short stories plus three journals. Her poems have been published in Visions International, Poetry Society of Texas Book of the Year, Open Skies Quarterly, National Federation of State Poetry Society’s Encore, Austin Poetry Society’s Austin’s Best Poets, A Texas Garden of Verses as well as numerous state anthologies and newspaper columns.

Her poem, October’s Agenda was nominated for the Pushcart Award in 2023.