Dear Humans,

Yesterday we read a poem. But not just any poem–a sonnet. Way back in the 13th century, Italian poets decided that 14 lines of metered, rhyming verse was the perfect way to express their love. 

A few centuries later, English poets continued to use 14 lines to woo their beloved, but they also included political themes. And they changed the structure a bit.

And today, poets still use the sonnet form to explore modern ideas, but they’ve pushed the form to its limit. (See the “Mooshot” sonnet that Mary Ellen Solt wrote in 1964 after seeing photos of the moon.)

Humans tell our best stories in verse. And though it will look different in the future, we’ll probably keep doing it 14 lines at a time.

Sincerely,

Mr. Curt