Gerard Manely Hopkins: Spring

 

This poem is a Petrarchan Sonnet. This means that is has first an octet verse, and in this case, two verses that make up a sestet. The rhyme scheme of the first eight lines is:
a b b a a b b a

and the next six:
c d c d c d.

This pattern makes up the poems formation. This gives the poem a rhythm as it is read aloud. In this poem, the rhythm is a reminder of the speed and joyfulness that is found in Spring.  Along with the fact that this is a sonnet, this poem also contains alliteration pertaining to the letter "l," as well as repetition of words beginning with "l" throughout.
Some such words are: "long and lovely and lush", "lightnings," "leaves," "lambs," etc. The use of these words helped to keep the flow of the poem as well. Overall, the poem's rhyme scheme and descriptive wording helped to add to the effect and tone of Spring and innocence by providing examples of nature. Additionally, I think the rhyming also portrayed the speed with which things change in the Spring.