Whittled Words – Nonet Poem
Welcome to the weekly series, Whittled Words. A series highlighting the innumerable types and styles of poetry to challenge any creative wordsmith. This week’s selection:
NONET POEM
The Nonet poetic form is fun and simple. It’s a 9-line poem that has 9 syllables in the first line, 8 syllables in the second line, 7 syllables in the third line, and continues to count down to one syllable in the final (ninth) line. No rhyme scheme or meter to be bothered with, so it is just that simple.
I couldn’t find an origin, but I did learn that the word nonet is used for a group of 9 performers or instruments. So, I’m assuming this is one of those poetic forms inspired by music.
Examples of Nonet Poems:
COLOR ME CLEAR
by Kelli Schmidt-Bultena
My inner voice is shouting loudly.
And I hear her. My place of start.
No fear. No lies. No whatifs.
I accept this is me.
I’ve discovered my
fav’rite color;
it is the
color
clear.
ARTISTRY
by mapoet
The painting turns liquid before me.
Suddenly, the water seems real.
I want to dip my finger
into the clear blue pool.
Let the fluid chill
me to the bone
while sunlight
filters
down.
CICADA
by Deborah Purdy
By the time you hear the crescendo,
the shrill harmony of the soul
of summer, of the heartbeat
of heat, it crashes, then
calls the troubadours
to celebrate,
serenade,
sultry
stars.
KISS IN 9/2 TIME
by Brenda Bishop Blakely
There are nine ticks on the metronome,
his finger touches a black key,
his other hand touches me.
When his eyes fix on mine
then there is no time.
We now prepare
for the sure
blissful
kiss.
by Yassy
In the Navajo white of wind’s play
I reach out gently with my arms
Feeling the first hush of snow
Brushing, dipping, curving
Lattice of meadows
Rune of snowflakes
Twinkling like
Crystal
Pearls.
Evanescing mystic afterglow
A crowning of winter solstice
Where fireplaces kindle
The thawing of season’s
Celestial chill;
Sun’s frozen
Iris smile
Teary
Frail.
DREAMS OF YOUTH
by Brad Osborne
Exuberant youth well-spent chasing
Seeking to fulfill all the dreams
Conjured in fervent young mind
As days while past with haste
Some are set aside
Never being
Not seeing
Light of
Day
I hope you have enjoyed this entry to the series, Whittled Words. I look forward to your comments, and if you dare, maybe share your own Nonet poem. Thanks for reading!
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[…] a Nonet poem and a Tautogram poem. But there’s another form used in this. Any guesses as to […]
commonsensiblyspeaking 
I really like these weekly series Brad. So much to learn on various poetry formats, you are doing a great job sharing such knowledge and work which are really exceptional
Thank you, Vinayak! I enjoy writing the series and the challenge of writing to form. It has been a great learning experience for me and I hope other poets will find inspiration or poetic techniques that will help them to create beautiful magic with their words. Thank you for your continued support!
Great work 😊 👌🙏
another educational and entertaining post. When I saw the title, it reminded me of a Led Zeppelin song, Black Dog. I had always thought that one of the lines was “Dreams of youth all fill my head.” I just checked – the line is actually “Dreams of you all through my head”. So I guessed I learned a couple new things today – thanks!
Thank you, Jim! We are all on a life-long learning curve!