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Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge No. 2

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!

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68 Comments

  1. Charli Mills says:
    March 15, 2021 at 12:45 am

    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!

    Liked by 3 people

    • Colleen M. Chesebro says:
      March 15, 2021 at 8:06 am

      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. 🤣

      Liked by 2 people

      • Charli Mills says:
        March 15, 2021 at 11:28 pm

        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! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      • Colleen M. Chesebro says:
        March 16, 2021 at 8:26 am

        Thanks, Charli. D.’s poem shows the versatility with the added rhyme schemes. Leaving the form open for creativity really makes a difference. ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  2. robertawrites235681907 says:
    March 15, 2021 at 1:45 am

    Fantastic, Colleen. Sharing to our poetry group on FB.

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Norah says:
    March 15, 2021 at 2:04 am

    A fine challenge to spring into, Colleen. It will get the creative juices flowing.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Ritu says:
    March 15, 2021 at 2:30 am

    Beautiful poem, Sis 💜

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Doug Jacquier says:
    March 15, 2021 at 8:07 am

    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/

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Jules says:
    March 15, 2021 at 8:50 am

    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

    Liked by 2 people

  7. theindieshe says:
    March 15, 2021 at 11:09 am

    Pingback @ https://indishe.wordpress.com/2021/03/15/saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-2/

    Liked by 3 people

  8. Colleen M. Chesebro says:
    March 15, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    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!

    Liked by 2 people

  9. D. Avery @shiftnshake says:
    March 15, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    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

    Liked by 4 people

  10. Jules says:
    March 15, 2021 at 3:36 pm

    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)

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Spring forward – Eugis Milieu says:
    March 15, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    […] Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge No. 2 […]

    Liked by 2 people

  12. -Eugenia says:
    March 15, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Here is my contribution, Colleen – https://amanpan.blog/2021/03/15/spring-forward/

    Liked by 2 people

  13. Writing to Freedom says:
    March 15, 2021 at 6:40 pm

    Nice poem and a new form to me Colleen. Spring is a wonderful theme and time of year. I feel the excitement!

    Liked by 3 people

  14. Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge No. 2 | ShiftnShake says:
    March 15, 2021 at 9:44 pm

    […] at Carrot Ranch Colleen Chesebro is running a poetry challenge out of the Saddle Up Saloon every third Monday. Specifically, […]

    Liked by 2 people

  15. denmaniacs4 says:
    March 16, 2021 at 6:09 pm

    It is a brilliant day, bright, bit of a nip in the air. Snow hanging low across the Sound…http://engleson.ca/?p=205031

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Mr. Ohh's Sideways View says:
    March 16, 2021 at 8:26 pm

    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

    Liked by 4 people

  17. Michael Todd says:
    March 16, 2021 at 8:43 pm

    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.

    Liked by 4 people

  18. A Seasoned Fighter says:
    March 20, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    […] Prompted from Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge at: https://carrotranch.com/2021/03/15/saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-2/. […]

    Liked by 2 people

  19. The Spring Music | call2read says:
    March 25, 2021 at 3:46 am

    […] poem above has been written for Carrot Ranch Double Ennead Monthly Poetry Challenge. Thank you, Colleen, for the […]

    Liked by 2 people

  20. nightlake says:
    March 25, 2021 at 3:48 am

    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/

    Liked by 2 people

  21. The Stirring – (Double Ennead #2) – Laura McHarrie @ The Hidden Edge says:
    March 25, 2021 at 1:33 pm

    […] 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 […]

    Liked by 2 people

  22. RuthScribbles says:
    March 25, 2021 at 1:48 pm

    Is there a deadline for this?

    Liked by 2 people

  23. suespitulnik says:
    March 25, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    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

    Liked by 2 people

    • Colleen M. Chesebro says:
      March 25, 2021 at 5:16 pm

      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. ❤️

      Liked by 2 people

  24. My Take – Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge No. 2 – Ruth Scribbles says:
    March 27, 2021 at 5:17 pm

    […] 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.” […]

    Liked by 1 person

  25. RuthScribbles says:
    March 27, 2021 at 5:20 pm

    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/

    Liked by 1 person

  26. My Take – Saddle Up Saloon; Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge No. 2 – Ruth Scribbles says:
    April 14, 2021 at 11:50 pm

    […] To understand what a double ennead is, go HERE. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Saddle Up Saloon: Double Ennead Challenge No. 2, Recap – Colleen M. Chesebro says:
    April 17, 2021 at 12:03 am

    […] Follow the link to last month’s challenge. […]

    Liked by 1 person

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