Happy March! Welcome to the Carrot Ranch Double Ennead Monthly Poetry Challenge. Every third Monday of the month, I’ll be here at Carrot Ranch with another challenge to help get your poetic juices flowing. Each month, we will explore a different theme or image to inspire our poetry. Take your time, there’s no hurry! You have a month to write your poem.
Check out the poems from last month HERE.
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. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
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 another favorite because you get access to synonyms as you’re composing.
Our Inspiration: “SPRING”
This month, let’s work with the theme of spring. Write your poetry inspired by an image, a photograph, the view outside your window, another piece of poetry like found poetry, or even a song. It’s up to you! Share whatever inspired you to write your poem.
For example, here is my inspiration piece below:
Corinne Bailey Rae – “Put Your Records On”
Three little birds sat on my window And they told me I don't need to worry Summer came like cinnamon So sweet Little girls double-dutch on the concrete Maybe sometimes we've got it wrong, but it's alright The more things seem to change, the more they stay the same Oh, don't you hesitate Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams Just go ahead, let your hair down You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow Blue as the sky, sunburnt and lonely Sipping tea in a bar by the roadside (Just relax, just relax) Don't you let those other boys fool you Got to love that afro hair do Maybe sometimes we feel afraid, but it's alright The more you stay the same, the more they seem to change Don't you think it's strange? Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams Just go ahead, let your hair down You're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow 'Twas more than I could take, pity for pity's sake Some nights kept me awake, I thought that I was stronger When you gonna realise, that you don't even have to try any longer? Do what you want to Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams Just go ahead, let your hair down Girl, put your records on, tell me your favourite song You go ahead, let your hair down Sapphire and faded jeans, I hope you get your dreams Just go ahead, let your hair down Oh, you're gonna find yourself somewhere, somehow AZLyrics.com
“Fly Free”
a trio of sparrows flit from branch to branch my window, an open stage to their slow dance chasing the winter blues waiting for the thaw life's cruel winds dictate situations change— maybe I've got it all wrong, but it's alright it's time to chase my dreams nothing stays the same azure skies and sunshine are coming my way It's time to find myself, to fly free on wings, filled with inspiration and new beginnings ©2021 Colleen M. Chesebro
Poetry is based on your perceptions. This song makes me want to dance under a starry spring night! I used the song as a metaphor for “spring” and new beginnings. Follow your inner voice for inspiration.
- Write a double ennead poem based on the theme of spring. Your inspiration can come from whatever source inspires you.
- 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! I’ll share a roundup of all of your poetry on colleenchesebro.com the Saturday before the next Double Ennead challenge.
Now have fun and write some double ennead poetry inspired by spring!
Carrot Ranch Literary Community 
This is so much fun, Colleen! Poetry is the ability to translate what the brain experiences in an image into words. Even epic novelists need poetic skills at the language level. I love that you’ve gifted Carrot Ranch with its own style of 99-syllables! That looks like an escaped chubby unicorn from headquarters!
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LOL! I wondered if you’d miss our unicorn for a bit of fun? Spring is bursting out all around the lower mitten. I love the 99 syllable poetry. It’s longer than most syllabic poetry, so there’s more room for creativity. A plus is that it’s our form. We can add some end rhyme schemes, or find our own personal rhythm with assonance. It’s all great fun. I’ll send the unicorn 🦄 home now. 🤣
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I don’t blame the Headquarters Unicorn for seeking spring! 😉
That’s so true! The 99-word story is versatile because it’s “long enough” to all kinds of craft and story variations. I can see the Ranch Ennead being a syllabic draft horse, too.
Thanks for sending home the Unicorn! 😀
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Thanks, Charli. D.’s poem shows the versatility with the added rhyme schemes. Leaving the form open for creativity really makes a difference. ❤️
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Fantastic, Colleen. Sharing to our poetry group on FB.
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Thanks so much, Robbie. I appreciate you. ❤️
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A fine challenge to spring into, Colleen. It will get the creative juices flowing.
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Yay, Norah. Although, our spring is your autumn, right? You should write about that season, if you’d like. Or Spring can be a metaphor for something else. ❤️
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I’ll put it on my list, but I make no promises. 🙂
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No worries. This is meant to be inspirational. Sometimes the muse just won’t play. ❤️
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Thanks, Colleen. 🙂
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Beautiful poem, Sis 💜
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Thanks. I know you love music. It’s a great way to find inspiration for your poems. ❤️
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Absolutely, Sis 💜
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Here’s my contribution, all the way from the Southern Hemisphere, in recognition of another half-world. 😉 https://sixcrookedhighwaysblog.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/spring-sprung/
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Thanks, Doug. ❤️
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Stunning word craft, Doug! I love “…the Thor of thaw…” Brilliant!
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Colleen…
I did a classic boo-boo. First I did the wrong form, then I didn’t even look at the instructions for inspiration… So now I’ve got two pieces that have nothing to do with the theme of spring… other than sort of very loosely related to spring cleaning… “I’m a baaad girl,” she said sheepishly…
I’ll have to think about what I’m gonna do now!! Unless I get a free pass?
I might have to come back later in the day…
While we did have a nice day or two winter’s back this morning with temps at almost 9am still below freezing! ~ brrr ~Jules
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Jules, it inspired you to write poetry… there’s nothing wrong with spring cleaning! I say go with it. Thanks for joining in! Add your links, friend. ❤
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*Done*
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Thanks, Jules. I’ll be over there soon. Gotta tend to a sick hubby. ❤️
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No rush… Hubby comes first!!
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Pingback @ https://indishe.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-2/
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Beautiful imagery! I learned some new words from this piece. Bravo! ❤
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Reblogged this on Colleen M. Chesebro and commented:
Here’s the double ennead challenge now up at the Saloon on Carrot Ranch.com. Please link your poetry to the challenge post. Have fun and write about spring!
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There’s nothing so forlorn yet ernest looking as a wild turkey this time of year. Three days ago it was in the fifties, today we may see a high of fourteen. But the snow stopped!
Turkeys scratch, hunger led
still sharp, winter’s edge,
where frost yet clings, in the face of coming spring
Sun days, trees pulse with sap
icy winds end that;
swirling squalls, freezing cold
reigning season, bold
winter rages defiant, violent bursts
Tireless sun adamant;
winter, worn, relents;
gritty wet, grainy snow
muddy patches show
at last warmth sustained; emerging shoots, ground gained
Turkeys scratch, hunger led
spring’s sprung; they’ll be fed
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What a great introduction to spring, D. I love the end rhymes, and they made your syllables come alive! I could feel the biting wind and even those turkeys! You know, I’d never seen a wild turkey until a few years ago when we lived in Colorado. Those are some big birds! Last week we had days here in Michigan in the 60’s and 70’s. Today, we can barely reach 33. Such is spring. Thanks for being part of this. It means a lot. ❤
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Spring comes and goes around here. There’s ice in my bath tub! No bubble bath for me today. The cold wind persuaded me to work at this ennead rather than outdoor distractions.
I am enjoying the Saloon very much when you or Chel are the adults in charge! I love what you’ve done with the place!
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LOL! I know what you mean about the wind. It’s biting here too! Stay warm and toasty. Thanks, D. that means a lot. ❤
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https://shiftnshake.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-2/
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Sort of related to ‘Spring Cleaning”
A Different Spring Cleaning?
(Airing Out the Attic)
Sprang quickly at the dawn
In winter’s last chill ~
They began stripping the old roofs’ shingles quick
Prepping for more repairs;
One; Fan removal
Two; some minor chimney
Pointing and three one
Replacement skylight; bangs and squeaks assault ears
I may sneak out to shop
For some quiet time
And while they’re up there
Hubby’s got a plan
To add insulation in the attic eaves
Where once heat was leaking ~
Happy when all’s done!
©JP/dh
Plus If you do go to the link here there is a bonus Diatelle
Because I wrote that first… And there’s also some definitions there as well.
A Different Spring Cleaning? & Mahlon’s Crew: Two (bonus Diatelle at post)
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I love it, Jules! Nothing feels like spring without sprucing up the house and brushing away the cobwebs… or fixing the roof! I’m off to read your diatelle. ❤
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[…] Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge No. 2 […]
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Here is my contribution, Colleen – https://amanpan.blog/2021/03/15/spring-forward/
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Thanks, Franci 😍❤️
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My pleasure, Colleen!
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Franci, your flower imagery captures the true essence of spring! ❤
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Thank you so much, Colleen!
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You’re so welcome. ❤️
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Nice poem and a new form to me Colleen. Spring is a wonderful theme and time of year. I feel the excitement!
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Thanks. I created this 99 syllable form for the ranch last autumn for the 2020 rodeo. Other than the syllable count, there are no rules. It sounds great with a rhyme scheme too! ❤️
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Thanks Colleen.
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You’re most welcome. ❤
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[…] at Carrot Ranch Colleen Chesebro is running a poetry challenge out of the Saddle Up Saloon every third Monday. Specifically, […]
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It is a brilliant day, bright, bit of a nip in the air. Snow hanging low across the Sound…http://engleson.ca/?p=205031
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Sounds lovely… 🍀💚☘️
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This is such a fun challenge but my blog is not the type that I can put the poem up on. So if you don’t mind I will leave my Double Ennead here. I hope you enjoy my spring poem.
I put out the bird seed
But the Squirrels come
I am mad as I refill the feeder again
I see one lovely finch
It makes me happy
The squirrels soon comeback
Breaking the feeder
I must purchase a new squirrel proof feeder
I fill it with more seed
Darn tree rats eat it
My feeder stopped nothing
One bird have I seen
Returning to the store I buy something else
I sit with my new gun
And wait for squirrels
Laughter can move mountains
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LOL! Thanks for your humorous poem! 🤣❤️
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You’re welcome
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I was sent here by my good friend Eugenia.
The Swamp (Double Ennead for Donna)
Springtime is now in bloom.
Down in Jacksonville,
Buttonwood, black gum, cypress on full display,
with moss hanging, heirloom.
(Land of no good will.)
Sunlight settles, diffused.
Hear claws scrape on bark;
be they lizards on the prowl, or a swamp owl,
no missed step is excused.
(Don’t be caught past dark.)
This ain’t no tourist trap;
best be passing through.
Gator rules roost, prehistoric land seduced.
Is this place on a map?
(Being bait just won’t do.)
Michael Todd (2021)
Written for Donna, who often hosted snakes in her garage,
(because snakes are sneaky),so she relocated, to the beach.
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What an excellent depiction of north Florida! I lived in Ft. Walton Beach and Pensacola. You captured the natural surroundings perfectly! ❤️
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[…] Prompted from Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge at: https://carrotranch.com/2021/03/15/saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-2/. […]
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And… your MMA poetry record is intact. Bravo on a great poem. ❤
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[…] poem above has been written for Carrot Ranch Double Ennead Monthly Poetry Challenge. Thank you, Colleen, for the […]
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Hi Colleen, Fly Free was a beautiful poem. Please find below the link to my contribution.
https://call2read.com/2021/03/25/the-spring-music/
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Thank you. I’ll be over to check it out. ❤️
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[…] inspired by Colleen’s Monthly Carrot Ranch Double Ennead Challenge #2 Spring. Click through for the rules if you too would like to join in […]
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Is there a deadline for this?
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You have until April 17th. The new challenge will post on Monday, April 19th. ❤
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Ok great! I’m working on tanka Tuesday.
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Excellent! I’m book editing so off in poetry LaLa-land. ❤️
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A little late to the table, but fun all the same. Thanks Colleen.
Spring On the Farm
Notice the outside temp
Turn off the furnace
Lift up the windows, let the fresh air blow through
Hear the geese honking by
Snowbanks are all but gone
The fat sheep are lambing
Kid goats bound about
Spindly leg foals stick close to their mama’s side
Pollywogs will soon be
Swimming in the pond
The robins have returned
Goldfinches yellow
The rooster struts around his harem of hens
The calves bleat loneliness
Tis spring on the farm
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This is a fabulous reminder of how lovely spring is in the country! I have the best mind image of those spindly legged foals! (We have a month to play with this form, Sue). So glad you jumped in to celebrate spring. ❤️
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[…] Colleen invites us to write a Double Ennead. The theme is Spring. “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. Don’t be afraid to experiment.” […]
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Ok. I think I’ve got it done. http://ruthscribbles.com/2021/03/26/my-take-saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-2/
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Yay! ❤️
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[…] To understand what a double ennead is, go HERE. […]
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[…] Follow the link to last month’s challenge. […]
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