Novem: Poetic Forms
Poetic Form Fridays are made to share various poetic forms. This week, we look at the novem, a form invented by Robin Skelton.
Poetic Form Fridays are made to share various poetic forms. This week, we look at the novem, a form invented by Robin Skelton.
Novem Poems
The novem is a poetic form invented by Robin Skelton, author of The Shapes of Our Singing. In that book, he explains that he was inspired by the Burmese form than-bauk.
Here are the basic guidelines:
- Tercet (or three-line stanza) form
- Three words per line
- Each line contains two monosyllabic words and one disyllabic word
- The disyllabic word shifts in each line: In line 1, it's the final word; in line 2, the middle word; and in line 3, the first word
- Each stanza should repeat one consonant sound at least 4 times
Quick note: There are no limitations on subject matter and no rhyme scheme.
*****
Build an Audience for Your Poetry!
While your focus as a poet will always be on refining your craft, why not cultivate a following along the way? With the multitude of social networking opportunities available today, it’s never been easier to connect with other poetry enthusiasts. Within minutes, you can set up a blog and share your poems and insights with like-minded readers.
Discover how to expand your readership and apply it to your poetry sharing goals today!
*****
Here’s my attempt at a novem:
amuse yourself, by Robert Lee Brewer
hold hands alone
or hover with
others on hand
skip stones lonely
or only with
sisters who sing
songs will carol
you closer to
kindness and kin
make sure music
may amuse your
merry mind's band
Robert Lee Brewer is Senior Editor of Writer's Digest, which includes managing the content on WritersDigest.com and programming virtual conferences. He's the author of 40 Plot Twist Prompts for Writers: Writing Ideas for Bending Stories in New Directions, The Complete Guide of Poetic Forms: 100+ Poetic Form Definitions and Examples for Poets, Poem-a-Day: 365 Poetry Writing Prompts for a Year of Poeming, and more. Also, he's the editor of Writer's Market, Poet's Market, and Guide to Literary Agents. Follow him on Twitter @robertleebrewer.
