I'm very honored that this sonnenizio was chosen, if for no other reason than it was SO freakin' hard to write. I should make clear, since this is the first time some have encountered the sonnenizio form, that according to its inventor, Kim Addonizio, the form does not require meter and a full rhyme scheme. It requires only that the first line be taken from someone else's sonnet; that there be fourteen lines; that each line contain a word from the first line (some people use different words throughout); and that the poem end on a rhymed couplet (slant and other types of rhyme count). So, the bed is not quite as Procrustean as I made it for myself. That said, I have to lie in it, and I'm sympathetic to the criticisms that have been made - even my own! - while at the same time I feel very happy that the poem has tickled at least a couple people. (Tim, I'll admit that Rhina's thrilling vote did not escape my notice.)
And of course I want to extend my thanks to Richard Wilbur for his continued support of the Bake-Off in particular and this community of poets in general. It turns out that it's just as cool as I thought it might be to know, really know, that Richard Wilbur has read one of your poems. It's also a bit nerve-wracking. A poet of his stature brings a high standard to bear, and I'm grateful that he chose to phrase his feedback with tact.
Thanks to all for having read! It's been an honor to have my work discussed at this level, and to share a stage with so many terrific poets.
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