D. A. Carson, Holy Sonnets of the Twentieth Century 
(Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994), 117 (reflecting on Rev 14:9–11; 21:8):
There are no friends in hell: the residents
With zeal display self-love’s destructive art
In narcissistic rage. The better part,
The milk of human kindness, no defense
Against a graceless world, robbed of pretense,
Decays and burns away. To have a heart
Whose every beat demands that God depart—
This is both final curse and gross offense.
Say not that metaphor’s inadequate,
A fearful mask that hides a lake less grim:
Relentless, pain-streaked language seeks to cut
A swath to bleak despair, devoid of him.
This second death’s a wretched, endless thing,
Eternal winter with no hope of spring.
That’s quite good. Although his iambic is a bit relentless. Still, clear turn at line 9 and a memorable closing couplet.
I don’t know what David has against iambic pentameter, especially when reviewing a poem. Anyways, I enjoyed Carson’s language. He reminds of hell’s absence of kindness, which cannot save any human being in judgment. Thought-provoking and well written.
John Piper just highlighted this sonnet via Twitter:
this does not follow a correct rhyme pattern for a sonnet…
Don’t miss the point. This was written/posted to get u to think about
Hell and what eternal condemnation looks like. Ask yourself this question:
Do I picture myself there? If not, then what?
Well written: To have a heart
Whose every beat demands that God depart—
This is both final curse and gross offense
I love iambic pent(or other)ameter, but it’s a rare sonnet that doesn’t substitute a trochee, spondee, double iamb, or even an headless one for a few of the standard feet.
As for the rhyme scheme, it actually follows the Petrarchan/Italian form exactly.
And I wasn’t really criticizing, just noting. I sort of have a mania.
As for metaphor, it seems the tough part can be recognizing them.
David, this is totally unrelated, but I’m seeking to expand my knowledge of the different kinds of poetry. Are there any books you would recommend?
Hi Michael,
I trust Andy will indulge us. I’d recommend starting with The Best Poems of the English Language/, edited by Harold Bloom. That will bring you up until the beginning of the 20th century, and the essay that begins that volume, “The Art of Reading Poetry,” is excellent, as are his introductions to each poet. I’d recommend reading some of the poets you end up liking best more extensively (beyond just the anthology inclusions).
From modernism onward, I’m not sure I have a good set of resources, although there are anthologies out there. I’ve done a lot of digging through the bigger names as well as poets that found their way onto my radar screen (poets.org and poetryfoundation.org are places to browse but make up a rather wide net). I like Ted Kooser, Mary Oliver, Mark Jarman, some Robert Bly. Furthermore, I’ve got my eye on a volume by Carson. :^)