Consonance is a poetic device where consonant sounds are repeated within a line or phrase, creating a pleasing and rhythmic effect. Here are some examples of poems using consonance:
1. "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe:
> Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
> Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
> When the nights were long and cold, and the days were short and old,
> And the wind blew wild and free, and the waves crashed on the shore.
Notice the repetition of "w" and "r" sounds in the first line, creating a melancholic and mournful tone.
2. "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" by Robert Frost:
> Whose woods these are I think I know.
> His house is in the village though;
> He will not see me stopping here
> To watch his woods fill up with snow.
The repetition of the "w" and "s" sounds, particularly in the last line, creates a sense of quiet and stillness, mirroring the peaceful scene.
3. "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost:
> Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
> And sorry I could not travel both
> And be one traveler, long I stood
> And looked down one as far as I could
> To where it bent in the undergrowth;
The repeated "w" and "l" sounds create a sense of wonder and exploration, reflecting the speaker's journey.
4. "The Sick Rose" by William Blake:
> O Rose, thou art sick!
> The invisible worm,
> That flies in the night
> In the howling storm;
The repetition of "s" and "t" sounds create a sense of unease and decay, reflecting the speaker's concerns about the rose's health.
5. "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" by Dylan Thomas:
> Do not go gentle into that good night,
> Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
> Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
The repetition of "g" and "n" sounds create a sense of urgency and defiance, reflecting the speaker's plea to his father to fight against death.
These are just a few examples of poems that utilize consonance to create unique and evocative sounds. You can explore other poems by your favorite authors to discover more examples of consonance in action.