A Jeffreys Sonnet was created by Scott J. Alcorn. It is isosyllabic (only 8 syllable per line), 2 sestets with a cross rhymed couplet (the cross rhyme is in the 2nd to 4th syllable in each of the two lines of the couplet). Also there is a cross rhyme in the first line of the 2nd sestet (between the 2nd to 4th syllable), tying the 1st sestet to the 2nd. So the rhyme scheme would be: aabccb, (b)ddeffe, (e)g (g)e. The letters in ( ) are the cross rhymes.

Example #1:

Miles Away

A thousand miles away- I hear,
your soft whispered voice so clear.
The gentle hush, of evening’s sigh-
Yet alas, you’re so far away.
My heart yearns and drifts where it may,
a longing I can not deny.

So down I lie- night slowly falls
and in dreams I restlessly call.
Yet, you’re not there to hear the plea.
Oh, how my heart weeps in longing…
Pervasive, tangible, yearning…
You’re still a thousand miles from me.

Distance I see- in between.
My love, unseen, and miles from me.

Copyright © 2006 Scott J. Alcorn

Example #2:

Solitude

November leaves swirl at my feet,
mists churn, muting colors complete.
In early morn, silence prevails…
I sigh. Oh, these blustery days!
Yet, I am content, I dare say.
Nature’s gracefulness never fails,

These hushed vales, feel made just for me.
Quick wings flitter- A chick-a-dee!
Auburn flash reveals a fox swift.
These, my favorite days of the year,
ones which solitude is revered.
My spirit so joyously lifts,

as leaves drift in the cold river.
I’m ever grateful for these gifts

Copyright © 2006 Scott J. Alcorn