
This week, I’m adding another poetry format to Colleen’s Weekly Poetry Challenge that is similar to the Etheree, except there are nine lines instead of ten. Everyone loves the Etheree, and I just couldn’t wait till the beginning of the new year to add a similar form. <3 Many thanks to Jane Dougherty for the suggestion.
You can find the instructions on how to write the Nonet poem under the menu item: Colleen’s Weekly Tanka Tuesday Challenge Guidelines. (P.S. I need to update this page)
For this week’s challenge, I used the word algid for cold, and purest for safe.
How to write a Nonet Poem:
A nonet has nine lines. The first line has nine syllables, the second line eight syllables, the third line seven syllables, etc… until line nine finishes with one syllable. It can be on any subject.
line 1 – 9 syllables
line 2 – 8 syllables
line 3 – 7 syllables
line 4 – 6 syllables
line 5 – 5 syllables
line 6 – 4 syllables
line 7 – 3 syllables
line 8 – 2 syllables
line 9 – 1 syllables
Poetry Base shares:
Nonet
Because of the hourglass shape of a double nonet, it can be used to represent time’s passage.
http://www.poetrybase.info/forms/001/184.shtml
The elements of the Nonet are:
- stanzaic, written in any number of 9 line stanzas.
- syllabic, 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 syllables per line.
- usually unrhymed.

“The Wild Hunt”
The phantom calling of the huntsmen
resounds during the algid night
gliding through the purest air
perceived in cloudy shapes
howling on the wind
a sign of war
or a sure
fatal
end?
© 2018 Colleen M. Chesebro
The Wild Hunt is a mythological event where a ghostly group of hunters passes overhead in the night sky in wild pursuit. (Wikipedia.com)
If one sees or hears the Wild Hunt it is believed to be a portent of war, or death, or a combination of such events.
Check out norse-mythology.org to learn more.

Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
Hugs for sharing. ❤️
XX
Wow! This looks great, Collee. I can’t wait to tell Anita!
Great fun! The double Nonet will be a fun endeavor. ❤️
Ooops, I lost an ‘n’…
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I think some of us commented when you first introduced the etheree that it was like a nonet. 🙂
That wild hunt sounds pretty cool–but I guess I wouldn’t want to witness it!
Yes, Jane has written a few Nonets too. With the success of the Etheree, it makes sense to offer some longer forms. I love the myth and lore of the Wild Hunt. Great for fantasy writing. ❤️
Love it sis! <3
I’m loving all these new forms. I have one more coming! It’s a surprise! ❤️
<3
Thanks for finding this new form for us Sis. Just curious why it starts with 9 and goes down as an Etheree starts with 1? <3
You’re welcome. ❤️
Really cool!
Thanks, Sis. These longer poems are popular. ❤️
Ooooh, very nice, Colleen.
Thanks, Robbie. I’m looking at the strange and unusual for my poems. 😀
I’m glad you’re including this form of poetry. I’ve written several nonets that were published in my collection, How to Build a Better Mousetrap: Recollections and Reflections of a Family Caregiver. I wrote them backwards to the way you suggested. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. At the time, I understood this was also acceptable. Maybe next week, I’ll try writing one your way.
Thanks, Abbie. I think reverse is fine, since many of the other forms reverse too. I also love the double Nonet. I have one more form I’m adding next week. I like to have choices so it helps everyone’s creativity. <3
Reblogged this on Aweni and commented:
Keep reading if like me, you haven’t heard of a Nonet poem before. Colleen educates us on what a Nonet poem is. I absolutely love her take on the form though the story behind it gives me the heebie-jeebies.
Thanks so much for sharing. <3
Colleen, you’re right about the Etheree. It’s getting so popular in responding to your challenges. The Nonet would go on fire as well. And you’re adding a new poem form…!! Wow, it’s so exciting. <3 <3
LOL! It’s a harder form but different so we will have lots of choices. <3
Oh… thank you for keeping the challenge interesting. <3
You’re welcome. <3
🙂 <3
Reblogged this on The Showers of Blessings and commented:
Writing poetry is so much fun with Colleen’s Poetry Challenge. Come on to learn a new poem form. You’ll have a surprised new poem form coming soon!
Thank you so much, Miriam. <3
You’re welcome, Colleen. <3
Love it!
Thanks, Bette. You made my day! <3
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What an interesting poetic form, Colleen. You nailed it!
Thanks, Norah. The Nonet is basically an Etheree – 9 lines instead of 10. Quite expressive. ❤️
What a lovely poem. Thank you for sharing it on Monday Blogs this week.
Thank you! <3
Wow, Colleen. You nailed that poem. I’m having waves and waves of chills. Ack! I love the epic nature of the poem and the End was powerful. And a fun new form!
Thanks, Diana. I love these syllabic forms. The wild hunt is awe inspiring, isn’t it? I might have to work that into the Sisters of the Fey book. I keep plugging along… soon I’ll have a decent first draft. Hugs to you! <3
Yes. It’s book-worthy! Work it in please. And oooh – a Sisters of the Fey book. What a great idea. 😀
Thanks, Diana. ❤️❤️❤️
This is wonderful, Colleen! Thank you for introducing the Nonet! <3
You’re welcome. <3 It has one line less than the Etheree, but still carries great impact!
Yes, I know! I tried writing one and kept getting stuck LOL I will not give up!! 🙂
You can do it!! <3
Thank you for cheering me on! ❤️
I’ve never heard of nonet before, but you aced this poem
Thanks. They are great fun to write. ❤️
I want to experiment and will visit this site more often but I can rhyme but meter eludes me though. Any ways thnx for sharing and inspiring I will try out the forms in this blog slowly. If you have time do visit my poem Here
Rhyming is easy… syllabic poetry is done by counting the syllables in words. If you can count, and choose words for special meaning, you’re in there. Start with the Haiku: 3 lines, five syllables, seven syllables, and five syllables. I even give you a site that will count the syllables for you. 😀 Be brave solitary wanderer. <3
Thanks for the encouragement
You can do it! 😀 <3