Day 22 ~ “Naani Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

Day 22 ~ “Naani Poem” for “30 Poems in 30 Days” #NationalPoetryMonth

Okay, let's get started ~ this is a poetry form that is completely new to me and I imagine the same will be true for most, if not all, of you. 

I've been binge-watching "The Good Karma Hospital" the last few days (LOVE IT) and so I guess I'm in an "Indian mood." I happened on this poetic form while looking for something new and decided we should all give it a try. 

Naani is one of India's most popular poetry forms. "Naani" basically means an "expression of one and all." It was created by well-known Indian poet, Dr. N. Gopi, the vice-chancellor to Telugu University. 

There are only TWO rules to this poem –

It is FOUR lines long, no more, no less.

And when you count up ALL of the syllables in ALL four lines, there should be AT LEAST 20 syllables and NO MORE than 25 syllables. 

And there is no rhyming required, but of course, you are free to rhyme whenever you wish. Either way . . .

Sounds easy enough. Let's see who actually follows the rules. :) 

Although, no subject matter requirements are suggested, from everything I read, Naani poems generally are about relationships, current state of affairs, the human condition, and/or emotions. So, basically, you're wide open here.

One more thing, the first line usually - but not always - states the subject of the poem.   

I highly suggest you use that handy, dandy free online syllable counter ~ all you have to do is plop your entire 4 line poem into the box, click the “Count Syllables” bar at the bottom and it will count them for you – remember you are looking to have at least 20 but no more than 25 syllable per Naani poem. Cheers!!

How Many Syllables - Free Online Syllable Counter

 So, here's mine for today: 

Day in and out

I sit inside and wonder

Will things ever 

Get back to normal 

                             

                              © Stephanie Abney 2020

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 to them as soon as they post them. Thanks so much!

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