Memorial Day: The Unmaking of a Sonnet

Memorial Day is a reflection on loss and renewal in times of war. It narrates the story of a young American woman’s experiences with falling in love, bereavement, and rebuilding her life after the death of her husband in battle. The narrative is conveyed through fourteen free sonnets, each written in a centered form, which unfolds from its center. This 'centered form' is also reflected in the arrangement of the sonnets, with the opening and closing sonnets serving as preludium and postludium, respectively, beginning with Sonnet 8 and ending with Sonnet 1. The poems are primarily accentual and measured, with generally six stresses per line and a cæsura, or rest, in the middle of each line. The stresses and pauses vary in weight and color, depending on the interpretation of her words. The message conveyed through these poems explores themes of love, loss, and renewal.