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Monday, December 16, 2013

Monday Poetry Stretch - Nonet

When I sit down to write I find I am more compelled by form than topic. It's also easier for me to wrestle with form than it is to compose on a specific topic. (I was the kid in English class that stared at my notebook page when told to "free write." Guidance and guidelines do wonders for me!)

That's why I like to tinker with forms in these challenges. This week I'd like to try the nonet. Here's a description of the form.
A nonet is a nine line poem. The first line containing nine syllables, the next line has eight syllables, the next line has seven syllables. That continues until the last line (the ninth line) which has one syllable. Nonets can be written about any subject. Rhyming is optional.
You can read more about this form and see a few examples at Poetry Dances - Nonet

I hope you'll join me this week in writing a nonet. Please share a link to your poem or the poem itself in the comments.

3 comments:

  1. THE HUMAN SONGBIRD
    Grandma said, “It’s time to go to bed.”
    “I’m not tired, can I stay up?”
    I ask. “Well okay.” She said.
    “Come here, sit on my lap
    I’ll sing you a song.”
    Her melody
    Gently puts
    Me to
    Sleep.

    (c) Charles Waters 2013 all rights reserved.

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  2. Nice, Charles! Here's mine:

    Kid, About to Explode

    I’m nine. Only thing I’ve got is time.
    Now eight—LAST year was something great.
    More like heaven than seven.
    Nothing clicks. Not like six.
    I’m alive. Past five.
    Oh snore. Who’s four?
    Not me. Three…
    You? Two…
    One.

    © 2013 Steven Withrow, all rights reserved

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  3. Good stuff! As you can see, I had trouble coming up with a topic. :)

    Christmas

    Shoppers scoot, spin, crash, and recover
    like bumper cars. They fill their arms
    with bags, with tinsel and trees.
    Outside the air is cold
    in their throats. Children
    twinkle like stars,
    trailing scarves.
    And bells
    ring.

    —Kate Coombs, 2013
    all rights reserved

    ReplyDelete