The sonnet is one of poetry’s most enduring forms. From its origins in thirteenth-century Sicily to today’s American poetry scene, it has evolved through many reinventions. This talk explores the sonnet’s history and highlights notable examples from the English Romantics, the Harlem Renaissance, and contemporary poets revitalizing the form. Our presenter poet Gwen North Reiss has published work in Rhino, Connecticut River Review, Mom Egg Review, Dogwood, and other literary magazines. Her poem Willow won the 2025 Nutmeg Prize from the Connecticut Poetry Society, and a poem on Alexander Calder appeared in the 2023 Connecticut Literary Anthology.