Nonet Poem

Have you ever heard of Nonet poems? No problem at all, because neither had I until I went exploring for a new poetic form to try out. 

I have always enjoyed discovering new ways to present my words. Nonent poems are sometimes known as countdown poems.

Nonet Poems: 

Here are the Rules
The nonent is a simple 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. Easy!
The poem can be on any subject and rhyming is optional.

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

A Nonet refers to a group of nine.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yes it is. But what tests your poetic calibre yet again is the ‘syllable count’.

I am unaware of the origin of these particular poems, but the word nonet is used for a group of 9 performers or instruments. So it may well be this is a poetic form inspired by music.
In music, a nonet refers to a composition that requires nine musicians for a performance and in poetry it refers to a composition which comprises of nine lines.

Keep this in mind while writing a nonet poem :

It is all about syllables. There is no limit to the usage of words.

A Nonet could be on any subject.

A nonet should have an easy flow and complete thoughts.

Each line is usually a complete phrase.

Focus on nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs. Don’t waste syllables on conjunctions or prepositions.

Make each line meaningful – don’t break lines in a way that detracts from the  meaning.

I now share my attempts at the Nonet 

I shall never forget my losses

Family, my birthplace, England

I must remain unbroken

With new horizons set

Each day, forging on

No list of hurts

Or hurts worst

Move on

Thrive

Source: This is an extract from my WIP -a verse novel based on the life of my Grandfather, who was orphaned at eleven, then indentured to an Australian farmer, homeless at seventeen, gored by bull at the age of nineteen who later becomes a world champion and a father of nine children...