The Unloved Sonnet
I go through the prerequisite clichés
and prune them out as needed for the tale
no more comparing her to summer days
and synonyms for roses, bound to fail
my problem is, he simply wrote too much
whichever turn of phrase I seek to use
it's hard without resorting to the crutch
of using his -- as if we share a muse
the task is hopeless, no eternal spring
can fill the void that's left by taking out
the words as writ by him, what can I bring
awash in corny phrases and self doubt
and yet the venerable form does tempt
so try I must, and here is one attempt
Author notes: https://allpoetry.com/contest/2797370-Write-a-new-sonnet--that-is-neither-on-love