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Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge

Welcome to the Saloon and the first Double Ennead Monthly Poetry Challenge. Every third Monday of the month, I’ll be over here at Carrot Ranch with another double ennead challenge. Each month, we will explore a different theme or image to inspire our poetry. I hope to see you in the Saloon!

The word Ennead means nine, and a double nine is ninety-nine! Carrot Ranch is famous for 99-word flash fiction. Now, the ranch has its own syllabic poetry form written in 99 syllables!

The Double Ennead comprises five lines with a syllable count of 6/5/11/6/5, (33 SYLLABLES per stanza) 3 STANZAS EACH = 99 SYLLABLES, NO MORE, NO LESS! Punctuation and rhyme schemes are optional and up to the poet.

Why write poetry?

When a writer embraces the ability to convey complex images and emotions in just a few lines, they have learned to strengthen their writing. In the same way, flash fiction helps us hone in on the words to tell our story, syllabic poetry does much the same by forcing us to find the best word and meaning. This brevity of words leads to more concise writing.

Syllabic verse is any kind of poetry defined by the number of syllables in each line. In English, syllables must have a vowel sound. For example, the word “apple” has two vowel sounds, which divide it into the syllables “ap” and “ple.” Depending on our accent, we pronounce some words with different accents on the syllables. For example, the word “fire” and “poem” can be read with either one or two vowel sounds.

Always check your syllables with a syllable counter when composing and writing syllabic poetry. The pronunciation of words is very important to conveying a meaning in your poems. You can use sodacoffee.com as a syllable counter. There is also howmanysyllables.com, which is my favorite because you get access to synonyms as you’re composing.

Our Inspiration:

Credit: https://pixabay.com/users/dreamyart

Use the image above to compose your double ennead poem. Remember to count your syllables.

My example follows:

rosy morn, winter kissed—
fields incandescent
bursting with the glory of a brand new day
the wheel of the year turns
another month gone

From the sun's fiery glow
lilac shadows fade
while frost browned grasses sing anthems to the wind
wild black-headed geese soar
far away from home

Beneath the frosty rime
roots tremble with growth,
awaiting the thaw and the warm rains to come
seeds loiter in the depths
dreaming of the spring

©2021 Colleen M. Chesebro

Poetry is based on your perceptions. While I described what I saw in the image, you might feel and interpret the image differently. Follow your inner voice for inspiration.

  • Write a double ennead poem based on the image above.
  • Post it on your blog.
  • Include a link back to this challenge in your post. (copy the https:// address of this post into your post).
  • Read and comment on your fellow poet’s work. Feedback from other poets is how we grow our poetry writing craft.
  • Like and leave a comment below if you choose to do so.
  • I’ll visit, comment, and share your poetry on social media!

Now have fun and write some poetry!

To See What You Create!

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By in Poetry on .

67 Comments

  1. Cindy Georgakas says:
    February 15, 2021 at 1:53 am

    love this post and the syllable counter and great info you imparted Colleen.
    Thank you🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Colleen M. Chesebro says:
    February 15, 2021 at 11:41 am

    Reblogged this on Colleen M. Chesebro and commented:

    Who’s ready to join in the Carrot Ranch Double Ennead challenge? The form is 99 syllables, no more, no less!

    Like

  3. RuthScribbles says:
    February 15, 2021 at 12:02 pm

    I will try!!

    Liked by 1 person

  4. denmaniacs4 says:
    February 15, 2021 at 12:44 pm

    Here is a link…it may work…it may not!

    http://engleson.ca/?page_id=204378

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Jules says:
    February 15, 2021 at 12:44 pm

    Colleen – I’ll be back to read your verse after I’ve written mine ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  6. nd 2.15 Changing Fate’s Strings 4 p – Jules Pens Some Gems… says:
    February 15, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    […] Carrot Ranch; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge The Double Ennead comprises five lines with a syllable count of 6/5/11/6/5, (33 SYLLABLES per stanza) 3 STANZAS EACH = 99 SYLLABLES, NO MORE, NO LESS! Punctuation and rhyme schemes are optional and up to the poet. Our Inspiration: Art Credit Here […]

    Like

  7. Jules says:
    February 15, 2021 at 2:29 pm

    I enjoyed your version Colleen… I stuffed in four prompts and if you go to the link you will find other images too!

    Changing Fate’s Strings

    Liked by 3 people

  8. D. Avery @shiftnshake says:
    February 15, 2021 at 2:46 pm

    Reblogged this on ShiftnShake and commented:

    It’s the third Monday of the month, so you know what that means. Colleen Chesebro is hosting a syllabic poetry challenge out of the Saddle Up Saloon! See what she’s up to and try your hand at the Double Ennead, a form Colleen dreamed up just for Carrot Ranch.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. SueSpitulnik says:
    February 15, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    Hi Colleen,

    Thanks for the interesting challenge. I enjoy stretching the envelope and strict guidelines help me get started.
    My offering is affected by the recent loss of my sister. Sorry it’s a downer.

    https://susansleggs.com/2021/02/15/remembering-alone/

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Doug Jacquier says:
    February 15, 2021 at 6:53 pm

    Here’s mine. Hope there’s not too many examples of putting the empharsis on the wrong sylabble. 😉 https://sixcrookedhighwaysblog.wordpress.com/2021/02/16/the-uncommon-cold/

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Surrender of winter | Eugis Milieu says:
    February 15, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    […] Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge […]

    Liked by 1 person

  12. -Eugenia says:
    February 15, 2021 at 7:22 pm

    Here is my endeavor, Colleen – https://amanpan.blog/2021/02/15/surrender-of-winter/

    Liked by 2 people

  13. H.R.R. Gorman says:
    February 15, 2021 at 8:41 pm

    Thanks for posting this! It’ll definitely help those trying to write poetry for the challenges. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  14. Let’s Paint a Picture – I Believe, BECAUSE – says:
    February 15, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    […] Meet me at the SALOON! […]

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Myrna Migala says:
    February 15, 2021 at 10:36 pm

    What a challenge! Thanks Colleen for the inspiration
    https://myforever.blog/2021/02/15/lets-paint-a-picture/

    Liked by 2 people

  16. ellenbest24 says:
    February 16, 2021 at 9:41 am

    I love ‘seeds loiter in the depth’s.’ Alas the form is not for me, but I see the fun you inspire so hope many join in.

    Liked by 2 people

  17. “At the Precipice,” #BadgerHexastich, #PhotoPrompt – Colleen M. Chesebro says:
    February 16, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    […] The first double ennead challenge is up at the Saddle Up Saloon at carrot ranch.com. Join in and learn a new form HERE. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  18. My Take – Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge – Ruth Scribbles says:
    February 19, 2021 at 11:53 pm

    […] HERE for the full explanation of a double ennead : “The Double Ennead comprises five lines with a […]

    Liked by 1 person

  19. RuthScribbles says:
    February 19, 2021 at 11:56 pm

    Here’s my try

    http://ruthscribbles.com/2021/02/19/my-take-saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge/

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Norah says:
    February 22, 2021 at 6:33 am

    I ran out of time to join in with this one, Colleen, but I enjoyed the photo and your double ennead in response to it. Hopefully, I’ll get to join in a future challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. D. Avery @shiftnshake says:
    February 25, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    Looks like you’ve roped in some poets! I kind of disappeared, took full advantage of a week off from the Saloon, but glad to see such a good crowd. That’s a good point, that there is a month to play. (So I will postpone getting out and about to read the responses)

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Sherri Matthews says:
    March 1, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    Hi Colleen, what a wonderful challenge and love your poem. I haven’t written any poetry in some time, especially since undertaking my memoir. I really hope to give this a go in the near future 🙂 >3

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Saddle Up Saloon Double Ennead Challenge No. 1, Recap – Colleen M. Chesebro says:
    March 13, 2021 at 12:03 am

    […] Follow the link to the challenge. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  24. TANKA TUESDAY POETRY CHALLENGE STARS | #Synonyms Only: “Eager & Hope” – Word Craft ~ Prose & Poetry says:
    March 15, 2021 at 12:04 am

    […] Peach shared a double ennead (99 syllable poetry I created for Carrot Ranch.com) that gives us a glimpse into her next book! This one is called The Sea Witch’s […]

    Liked by 1 person

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