Nonet
A nonet is a nine-line syllabic poem. The first line has nine syllables, the second line has eight, the third has seven, and the pattern continues downward until the final line has one syllable. Rhyme is optional. The shape often narrows visually and emotionally as the poem descends.
A nonet often includes: nine lines, descending syllable count from 9 to 1, compression, focus, and a sense of movement toward a final word. It may be serious, comic, descriptive, spiritual, romantic, or reflective. To write a nonet, choose a subject that can narrow. Begin with a nine-syllable line. Reduce each line by one syllable until the final one-syllable line. Let the last word carry weight.
Free Delivery
The bag was left upon the doorstep.
The raccoon did not fear the light.
Birds ate the remaining bread.
Torn paper was a sight!
Free Delivery!
Done by tonight!
Lesson learned.
The food—
Gone.
“Free Delivery” follows the nonet form by using nine lines with syllable counts descending from nine to one. The poem narrows from the whole event to the final word, “Gone.”
The nonet is a modern syllabic form. A reverse nonet begins with one syllable and grows to nine. A double nonet descends and then rises, or rises and then descends.
WoPoLi 
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