I have to admit I wasn’t sure whether to use the nonet for a WD Poetic Form Challenge at first. The main thing I worried about were those final three lines of three, two, and one syllables respectively. I wondered how much variety there could possibly be, but I was pleasantly surprised by the nonets that were entered. In fact, the top 10 was hard to pick–yet again.
Here’s the winning nonet:
Dark in the Woods, by Ina Roy-Faderman
The black crow descends on dreadful wings,
blocks the sunlight, deadens the air.
No gentle breezes to clear
my tangled webs of thought.
Instead they collect
in still corners.
Dark descends.
Black dog
barks.
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Please congratulate Ina on her winning poem!
Then, check out the other nonet poems, especially looking out for my top 10 list.
- Dark in the Woods, by Ina Roy-Faderman
- When Testosterone Starts Kicking In, by Laurie Kolp
- Geometry, by Bruce Niedt
- Accelerando! Something Stirs!, by Marie Elena Good
- Nine Ladies Dancing, by Nancy Posey
- Snapdragons, by Tracy Davidson
- Risking It All, by Rob Halpin
- Hot Soup, by Michael Grove
- Mammogram, by Marie Elena Good
- Thinking Place, by Connie Peters
As you’ll see from reading the whole, there were many great nonets that fell outside my top 10 list. Congratulations to everyone who made the top 10!
I hope to see everyone for our next challenge!
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Follow me on Twitter @robertleebrewer
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“USA”
United States of America
Divided into red and blue
Politically speaking
Ironically too
Elections matter
Get out and vote
And may the
Best man
Win
Hurricane
Hurricane Sandy has come and gone
Leaving destruction in its wake
And giving us pause to think
That fortune is a fake
What is ours today
What we have built
Suddenly
Is lost
Gone.
Congratulations everyone. Ina–terrific poem with power. Loved it. Loved them all.
Lovely poem Ina – congrats to all nonet winners!
Beautiful poem, Ina, and congratulations to everyone!
Congrats, Ina!!! (and all who made the top 10).
Marie, doubly impressed.
I knew mammogram would do it for ya!
Jac
^^
Congratulations to all, especially Ina! The poems, on the list and not, stick with me thanks to the endings that strike such emotion with few words– a great way to work a poem. Thanks, Robert, for another challenge to stretch us.
Congratulations to the winners—and everyone. Some great poems in this batch!
Congratulations to Ina and all the winners! Well deserved! And thanks, Robert, for these poetic forms challenges!
What a wonderful line-up this is! Congrats to Ina and all the top ten. Marie, it’s great to see two of yours represented here. Nice work all!
Congratulations Ina. Fabulous poem. Congrats to the rest of the top ten and to all who participated. Thank You Robert for hosting another great challenge. I am honored to be included on your short list.
Thank you, everyone! I can’t believe my nonet made it to the top with the number of unbelievably gorgeous nonets that were in the challenge
And thanks, Robert, as always, for posting and “chairing” these challenges!
I’m pleased to be included with this great group–lots of my poet friends!
Wonderful work, Ina, and all the top 10. Heading back to read them all! Congratulations all around.
I just love it, Ina… congratulations to you and the rest of the top 10 winners. Thanks, Robert!
Congratulations to all the winners, special congrats to Ina and Marie-the Olympian!
OHMIGOSH! 4th and 9th?? I feel like I’m at the Olympics! Thanks so much, Robert. And top 10′ers, you all rock! I particularly remember the ones from Ina, Bruce, and Nancy without even going to back to check them out. Fabulous work, all!
Robert, it is so kind of you to allow us in on these challenges for a chance to be published in print. You are awesome.
Thanks again, Robert, but I just realized the version of “Geometry” I posted wasn’t the final one – line 3 was one syllable short, so I tweaked and re-posted it on the challenge thread.
Missed this entire challenge while on vacation, and holy cow what a FANTASTIC list of poets as winners!
And Marie Elena x2? Good poetic fun doesn’t get any better! 
Congrats to all of you! And Ina, your poem is wonderful. Can’t wait to find the time to read the rest. Kudos, incredible poets!
Congrats to Ina and all the finalists! Your Nonets are NoneButTheBest!
Ina, that’s a great poem that just happens to be a nonet. The mood and imagery are striking. Congratulations! And once again, I’m happy to be in the top 10 with such a great collection of poets.
Thank you Bruce! I’m so delighted to be in such good company!
Hear, hear!