KENNILWORTH, N.J., Oct. 1, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sonnets are some of the oldest forms of poetry. From Lord Byron to Shakespeare, the sonnet has floated through time as a high art form with strict meter and rhyme structure. Since the birth of free verse in the mid-19th century, sonnets have fallen to the wayside, but Thomas H. Kemps has dusted off the metered verse with his new book, Ramblings of a Romantic (now available through 1stBooks), a collection of sonnets.
Kemps' poetry explores the romantic mind. His themes run the gamut from romance to passion to humor. His sonnets vary in subject matter. He dedicates a number of poems to the memory of Sept. 11, 2001.
In "9/11," he writes from the perspective of someone trapped in the World Trade Center: "Under twisted metal with a limited amount of air,/ I am writing these words for others to reflect upon./ I would like to know, even later, why I was buried here;/ as answers are found to reason, today, found me gone."
Other poems celebrate the holidays, such as a sonnet about a reluctant teenage Easter egg hunter who meets the girl of his dreams. "A yearly ritual of searching for treasures locked in eggs or plastic substitutes./ Seems like everything, I do now is fun sharing it all with one so cute."
He also muses on love, passion, romance and the extraordinarily commonplace events of every day. If nothing else, Kemps hopes that his readers will be happy with his offerings.
"(These are) ramblings from a person who has waited so many years. (I) hope that it brings you joy, rather than kindling, which is one fear," Kemps says.
Kemps has been "educated for so many years and influenced by so many friends, family and life events." He decided to employ some of the techniques he had learned over the years in his sonnets, which fill Ramblings of a Romantic, his first book.
"My source(s) of inspiration are the people who let me share their joys and sorrows, the world around me, and all God's creatures great and small," Kemps states.
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