To put Smith’s dizzying poetic and literary achievement in context:

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) wrote 154 sonnets, which calculates to 2,156 lines of verse. 

Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey, contains 12,109 lines;

Homer’s other epic poem, the Iliad, contains 15,693 lines.

Smith’s trilogy, ‘Rogue Shakespeare’s Sonnets – parts I, II & III‘ (also collectively known in one epic book as ‘Rogue Shakespeare’s Bible‘) contains 2,702 of Smith’s personal/philosophical/spiritual/political sonnets – that’s exactly 37,828 lines of rhyming iambic verse – more than the Odyssey, the Iliad and all of Shakespeare’s sonnets combined.

John Donne (1572-1631) wrote 19 sonnets. John Milton (1608-1674) wrote 24 sonnets. Anne Locke (1560-1590) wrote 26 sonnets. Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) wrote 44. Charlotte Smith (1749–1806) wrote 92 sonnets. Lady Mary Wroth (1587-1651) wrote a total of 105 sonnets. Sir Philip Sidney (1554-1586) wrote 108 sonnets. William Shakespeare (1564-1616) wrote 154 sonnets. 

The Italian poet Petrarch (1304-1374) wrote 366 sonnets. The closest English sonneteer to Smith was William Wordsworth (1770-1850) who wrote 595 sonnets. The prolific Spanish writer, Lope de Vega (1562-1635) wrote close to 3,000 sonnets (in various sonnet styles) – which Smith has now surpassed having now written over 3,100 sonnets, and counting…

That’s amazing… what the hell is a ‘sonnet’?! 

A Shakespearean or ‘English’ sonnet is 14 lines long, written in iambic pentameter – 5 heartbeats (2 beats – first soft, second strong) per line – with a rhyming structure of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Iambic is considered the most powerful meter for verse, as it’s very close to the natural way we think and speak in English.

Below you can hear one of Smith’s first ever sonnets, ‘SONNET ZERO’, originally written and recorded live on-air in a BBC radio studio in June, 2006 – now soon to be published in his 2025 epic, ‘Rogue Shakespeare’s Bible – Truth in Verse’. (see below). 

In this philosophical sonnet, Smith begins by sharing some his personal experience fused with spiritual reflection as he engages positively with the start of his day.

He then muses on the violent history of Spain (his location when writing the sonnet) – reflecting on the almost constant battle between the rulers and the ruled of Spain’s (once vast) empire. 

He then compares Spain’s bloody history to that of the bloody history of the world – asserting the political viewpoint that, in reality, we all just slaves to the super-rich. 

Ultimately, Smith questions whether humans are capable of living in peace – are we yet evolved enough to be truly generous with each other?

In this sonnet, Smith describes his morning routine as he watches the sunrise in Iberia (Spain/Portugal), marveling at nature – at the mountains and the sea.

He writes the sonnet as he does each activity – drinking coffee, listening to music, practicing yoga, meditating and reading Buddhist texts – allowing us to enter his artistic process and share in his morning rituals.

He then focuses in on the lesson he is reading for that day – on this occasion the lesson is on rightful speech – which is speech that is both truthful, but still considerate of the feelings of others.

Admonishing himself for some regretful speech from his youth, he completes the sonnet with a vow to purge himself “of anger, ego, lie”.

On this day, a reviewer (Ms. Agnes Robinson), posted her review of Ryan’s 7th verse play, Pretty, Witty Nell® starring Smith’s phenomenal young protege, Clarissa Adele. Inspired by her wonderful review (link below), Ryan quickly wrote a thank you note to Agnes in sonnet form. 

SONNETS 1-1,000

(Nov 20, 2007 - Jan 2, 2014)

In part one of Smith's unparalleled spiritual journey in verse, Rogue Shakespeare takes us deep into his soul, seeking clarity, peace and redemption, as he starts to question the fundamentals of the ever-changing world around him. From Florida to Edinburgh, across Australia, to New York, Los Angeles, London and Denmark, Rogue's relationships, self-discovery, politics and his unwavering commitment to truth, lie naked before us.

SONNETS 1,001-2,000

(Jan 3, 2014 - Nov 24, 2021)

In part two of Smith's unique spiritual journey in verse, Rogue Shakespeare faces immense challenges in compassion and love: his father's death, the dark side of fame, law school, bio weapons, lockdowns, mid-pandemic migration, a new language, exotic lovers, and a global war he long predicted creeping ever closer. From Denmark, to England, Los Angeles, France and Spain, Rogue continues to bare his soul through epic poetry.

Truth in Verse  - Parts I, II & III

Nosce te ipsum - know thyself - the single, most vital, quest that we were sent to planet Earth to achieve.

For those who dare read it, Rogue Shakespeare's Bible becomes a fountain of spiritual wisdom, inner peace and power. Smith's Buddhist-inspired path of self and world discovery opens deserving hearts to an ancient universal force, hidden in us all. The more we read, the more we are empowered by his words - until, at last, we realise who he truly is; and, who we are. Become that which the darkness fears the most - become your highest self!