69 Sonnets

by Michael D. Dolce

For many, writing poetry is just something casual and easy that anyone can do. People shared a lot of prose, and when they do rhyme, it is often “hip-hop” rhyme, which most often is merely examples of assonance more than actual rhymes (“Axe” with “cats”, “Fake” with “Great”, or “Gun” with “Tongue”). The sentiments are tired and overdone. Metaphors, if there are any, are mixed and inadequate. The nouns are as concrete as a sidewalk. Imagination is often absent, vocabulary is poor, and even though one doesn’t grade poetry for grammar, the verb tenses and subject-verb agreement are awful. Michael Dolce might be called an elitist, but he dares to suggest that various authors try rhyming, play with meter, even experiment with the many different forms of poetry. Dolce has long had a love affair with the Petrachan sonnet, and here, he shares only poems of this form. It rises as a testament to the precise craft that is the writing of poetry.

100 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 2019

About the author

I am a poet, humorist, writer, orator, and retired educator. I began my study of the arts long before my formal education, supplementing a bachelor's degree from Eastern New Mexico University and private training with practice along the way, writing my first poem at the age of ten. I have written screenplays for 48 Hour Film Festivals, received the honor of best screenplay for "All the Right Tools," and published my poetry in various venues. Many of my plays have been staged, and I have acted on stage and in film for 39 years. However, these accolades don't bring me the pride that wells up when I thing of my accomplishments in teaching and education, a craft I cultivated for over 22 years and from which I am now moved on. Look for me in the mountains hiking, in an ocean diving, on a road traveling, or delighting in life at home with my lovely wife beside me. It's truly a beautiful life.