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Home » Saloon » Poetry » SADDLE UP SALOON; COLLEEN’S DOUBLE ENNEAD CHALLENGE NO. 4

SADDLE UP SALOON; COLLEEN’S DOUBLE ENNEAD CHALLENGE NO. 4

Happy May! 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’ll explore how to use this form to inspire our poetic muse. Take your time, there’s no hurry! You have an entire 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.

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 a very important tool to convey meaning in your poems. You can use sodacoffee.com as a syllable counter. There is also howmanysyllables.com, which gives you access to synonyms and rhyming words as you’re composing.

Using Themes in Poetry

What are themes? A theme is a message you want to convey through your poetry. Many poets choose a romantic theme for their poetry, but that doesn’t always appeal to everyone. Another popular theme is “human verses nature.” Writing about the human experience is one way we connect with others through the written word.

Here is a list of some the common themes in poetry from Emma Baldwin. “19 Different Types of Themes in Poetry”. Poem Analysis, https://poemanalysis.com/poetry-explained/poetry-themes/.

  • love
  • death
  • religion
  • spirituality
  • nature
  • beauty
  • aging
  • desire
  • travel
  • dreams
  • celebrations
  • new life
  • disappointment
  • failure
  • war
  • immortality
  • coming of age

Why are themes important? If you like to read and write poetry it’s because you enjoy “word craft.” At least that’s what I call it. Word craft is the way you, as a writer or poet, shape words into a distinct purpose. It’s your personal brand of magic that you employ to enchant your reader. Often, the theme of your poem reveals itself as an additional meaning. It’s that “a-ha moment” when you make the connection through a poem’s deeper meaning. Remember, without a theme, your poetry does not have a purpose.

The double Ennead is perfect for themed poetry. The three stanzas allow the poem to flow naturally with a beginning, middle, and end, much like our 99-word flash fiction flows.

When you choose a theme, try to break it up into three distinct parts. In my example, I write about the passage of time in the garden featuring a morning glory during the morning, at noon, and at night, per stanza. I added a bit of rhyme because it flowed naturally, unforced. As always, end rhyme schemes are optional.

Image by rachaeljklol from Pixabay
"The Morning Glory"

morning glory dawns bright
dew-speckled petals,
blossom forth to receive the sun's inner light
impermanence of life
eternal love's plight

morning glory day shines
purple, pink, and white
noontide sun feeds and sustains unplanted vines
no less a pesky weed
the will to survive

morning glory night wanes
flowers snuggle deep
under star glow, provocative scents remain
promising a new day
growth comes with the rain

©2021 Colleen M. Chesebro

At first glance, you might think this poem is only about the morning glory plant. Good grief, they’re weeds! However, there is much more here. I chose this flower because of its will to survive, no matter what. My theme is about perseverance and surviving when the chips are down.

This month, select your own theme for your double Ennead poem. Follow your inner voice for inspiration.

  • Write a double ennead poem. Remember to count your syllables.
  • Post it on your blog or in the comments at the bottom of the post.
  • 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!

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27 Comments

  1. D. Avery @shiftnshake says:
    May 17, 2021 at 5:12 pm

    I love that you’re here, Colleen!
    Maybe I can summon a double ennead, but maybe this is a catch up week. Either way, I love that you’re here, waxing poetic.

    Liked by 3 people

  2. denmaniacs4 says:
    May 17, 2021 at 10:04 pm

    For your consideration:

    http://engleson.ca/?p=206082

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Norah says:
    May 18, 2021 at 7:44 am

    I love your poetry and your challenges, Colleen. One day I might even make time to respond.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. nd 5.18 ‘TRANCE’figuration 4p – Jules Pens Some Gems… says:
    May 18, 2021 at 11:58 am

    […] Carrot Ranch; Saddle Up Saloon: Colleen’s Double Ennead Challenge #4 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….This month, select your own theme for your double Ennead poem. Follow your inner voice for inspiration. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Jules says:
    May 18, 2021 at 12:05 pm

    Colleen – I am hoping to get some Moonflower seeds – they look like big Morning glories!! Delightful verse!

    OK… here’s what I’ve got – with images at my post!!

    ‘TRANCE’figuration 4p

    ‘TRANCE’figuration

    Can one block out city
    Constant life noises
    Does tranquility silent, like sleep exist
    When consistent motors
    Hum, buzz, and hammer?

    Can one channel natures
    Soothing waterfalls
    Does tranquility silent, like sleep exist
    In an environment
    Constantly changing?

    Hither we did flee to
    Quaint suburbia
    Does tranquility silent, like sleep exist
    Where in the night, birds sing
    Lullabies of peace?

    ©JP/dh

    Liked by 3 people

  6. Charli Mills says:
    May 19, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    I will not look at bindweed the same way, Colleen. That’s what I love about poetry — its capacity to reveal insight. I’m going to try my first ennead. I’ll be working on it!

    Liked by 1 person

  7. theindieshe says:
    May 21, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    Pingback @ https://indishe.wordpress.com/2021/05/22/saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-4/

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Fade to Black says:
    May 26, 2021 at 7:35 am

    […] Prompted from Colleen’s Double Ennead at: https://carrotranch.com/2021/05/17/saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-4/. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  9. My Take – SADDLE UP SALOON; COLLEEN’S DOUBLE ENNEAD CHALLENGE NO. 4 – RuthScribbles aka RuthEK says:
    June 3, 2021 at 12:08 am

    […] Colleen asks us to select our own theme this week. My theme is spirituality. The form is three verses of 6/5/11/6/5 syllables. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  10. RuthScribbles says:
    June 3, 2021 at 12:12 am

    Thank you for this challenge.

    http://ruthscribbles.com/2021/06/02/my-take-saddle-up-saloon-colleens-double-ennead-challenge-no-4/

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Missy Lynne says:
    June 12, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    Tall, towering palm tree
    Rooted to the ground.
    Fronds glistening under the sun soaked blue sky.
    A quiet rustle soothes
    As soft winds comfort.

    Never still in response.
    Never without hope.
    A continuous melody of calm sway,
    A dance with wind and air.
    Never ending peace.

    A storm brews as rain falls.
    Winds blow swift and hard.
    The palm is battered and bruised but not broken.
    A symbol of courage.
    A symbol of strength.

    Liked by 1 person

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