OK, this is my (probably ill-advised) contribution to the July Challenge. I was in a darkish frame of mind after working on Charlie’s Raven prompt, so apologies if this isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Two parts to this challenge:
1st: it is in Sonnet form. Not strictly iambic pentameter, so don’t worry about that. Just the abab, cdcd, efef, gg rhyming scheme and format.
2nd, and possibly more difficult: What interests me are vibrant imagery and vigorous (and imaginative) use of language. You will notice that I tried to push the boundaries at bit on both of these. My challenge to you is “keep it up!” Throw down things that sound interesting, even at the boundaries of sensibility. Take some risks! See if you get back jade by throwing some bricks…
Here is the first half, see where it takes you:
The Devil rolls some teeth like dice,
Says your bones are for the gamble —
Wants to know your wager price,
And if the payout you can handle:
He’ll use your ribs for a picket gate,
Ligaments to string a violin’s regret,
Skin to stretch the truth from here to fate,
qbit 
Looking at this now for the first time; I’ve pasted it into a Word doc, and I look forward to the writing process. This seems like the type of challenge that requires sleep and possibly a good thunderstorm to kick it off. Oh, look – dark clouds are gathering and that couch over there is calling… perfect combination!
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Awesome! Wild napping to you.
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Here is my offering, sir! Be aware of the hellishness that has been unloosed… and be very pleased with yourself! https://lifeinportofino.wordpress.com/2017/07/06/dark-sonnet-at-dantes-casino/
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Totally great.
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I’ve been looking at your dark sonnet for a couple of days now and finally have something that I hope measures up. Here’s my attempt. https://lburtonwrites.wordpress.com/2017/07/07/july-challenge-dark-sonnet/
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…and spread you on searing briquettes.
Demons will dance around your fire
and thrill to the ear splitting shrieks.
The inferno will only feed their desire –
making their lust for carnage oblique.
That was a fun project, Q! Thanks for sharing your vigorous poetry. 🙂
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Regret/briquettes!!! Awesome! This is wonderful. Lust for carnage oblique, yes!
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