Day 24 ~ How to Write a “Nonet Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

What is a "Nonet Poem" and how do you write one?

I have come to LOVE this poetry form and think it is such fun. I hope you enjoy it too. And even though I have shared these two poems in years past – they remain favorites of mine for this poetic form so here they are again!! Cheers!!

A Nonet Poem is based on NINE, in more ways than one ~ it has nine lines and the FIRST LINE has NINE syllables ~ but there are a few more details to know. I have come to really love this poetry form. And I love my example poems I wrote in previous years that I’m going to share them again. But here is how you do this poem. SO FUN!!!

When I looked up the word “nonet” in the dictionary I discovered it stood for 9 musical performers or 9 instruments – and the poem has a pattern that has 9 lines – first line has 9 syllables, each line thereafter has one less syllable, ending with the last line only having ONE syllable. The number of words does not matter, ONLY the number of syllables so it actually provides you with some flexibility. Intriguing, right?

* * * * * * * * * (9 syllables)

* * * * * * * * (8 syllables)

* * * * * * * (7 syllables)

* * * * * * (6 syllables)

* * * * * (5 syllables)

* * * * (4 syllables)

* * * (3 syllables)

* * (2 syllables)

* (1 syllable)

It can be about ANYTHING as long as the SYLLABLE COUNTS ARE CORRECT, so PLEASE count them so you can do it correctly.

 Here are two examples I wrote:

 

 Made chocolate chip cookies tonight

One taste before I go to bed 
One bite follows another
I forgot what I said
I’m ready to stop
Well, maybe not
Just one more
Then to …
Bed!!
          © 2014 Stephanie Abney

“Grandma, may we have a sleepover?”

My precious grandkids ask again.
“We promise to obey you.”
They give a hopeful look.
“We won’t talk in bed.”
That’s what they said.
“We love you.”
I said,
“Yes!”

             © 2014 Stephanie Abney

OKAY, your turn – GO!!

PLEASE REMEMBER ~ any poetry found on this blog, written by me, is my personal property and may not be used without my permission, other than sharing it as an example in a lesson or to read it to someone. The same goes for any poems that are shared in the comments of this blog or elsewhere online as a result of this challenge. They are the creative property of the person who writes them. These poems are their original work and no one may use them without their permission. It is understood that they own the copyright for to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

Also, if you choose to post your poems on your own blog ~ that’s awesome. But PLEASE don’t just copy and paste my daily instructions, but rather post your poem on your blog or you FB wall or wherever AND LINK BACK TO THIS BLOG POST for others to come here to read the instructions. I’ve spent considerable time researching the poetry forms and writing them up to share with you. Thanks for respecting my work.