“The Wild Hunt,” A Nonet Poem

52 Comments / My Poetry / By / 30 Nov 2018 / , , , , ,

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:

  1. stanzaic, written in any number of 9 line stanzas.
  2. syllabic, 9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 syllables per line.
  3. usually unrhymed.
Image Credit: germanicmythology.com

“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.

Winter is coming…

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52 thoughts on ““The Wild Hunt,” A Nonet Poem”

  4. Pingback: “The Wild Hunt,” A Nonet Poem — Colleen Chesebro ~ The Faery Whisperer | tabletkitabesi

  5. merrildsmith

    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!

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro

      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. ❤️

      Reply
  7. dgkaye

    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

    Reply
  10. abbiejohnsontaylor

    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.

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro

      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

      Reply
  11. Aweni

    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.

    Reply
  12. Miriam Hurdle

    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

    Reply

  15. Pingback: Colleen’s #Tanka Tuesday #Poetry Challenge Recap No. 112, “Cold & Safe”, #SynonymsOnly – Colleen Chesebro ~ The Faery Whisperer

  18. D. Wallace Peach

    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!

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro

      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

      Reply
  21. thanisamanyan

    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

    Reply
    1. Colleen Chesebro

      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

      Reply

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