A Portuguese Window

First attempt at a nonet.

 

A Portuguese Window

 

 

an old wall with a broken window

in a fortress in Estremoz;

troubadours beneath your sill

have charmed maidens with song;

poets have declaimed

eternal love,

all now lost

in time’s

dust.

 

 

John L Berry

7 June 2008

Author's Note

First attempt at a nonet. Are capitals in order or forbidden? Is punctuation used or not used? Please offer suggestion and criticism as I wish to learn the form and don't mind if it's the 'hard way'.

Reviews

[Leah Simone]

The ending was perfect - the building in ruins as are the voices once spilling their undying love - no longer heard - crumbling in silence - manmade - always ends this way, and yet - we hold on to the belief of forever - eternal love and maybe that is why the window is still standing - who knows. This gives one much to ponder - while being brief and simple.

[Thomas James Martin]

Enjoyed this poem so much. I love the nonet form, and Lily1111 introduced me to it. She has written some wonders of the form also, I have used the form also.
Thanks for sharing,
Tom

[Sofie and the City]

this is my first time to read nonet and know nonet. Thank you for sharing a wonderful piece. hopefully I could make one and you this will be one of my inspiration. Hope you'll make more of nonet.

[Lily1111]

John - I have always seen the description for the nonet as simply "A nonet has nine lines. The first line has nine syllables, the second line eight syllables, the third line seven syllables, etc... until line nine that finishes with one syllable. It can be on any subject and rhyming is optional. " So I suspect capitalization and punctuation is optional as well.

You did a wonderful job on this nonet it flows so naturally. I really love this form and am so glad others are trying it. It forces you to choose your words wisely. I think it also spurs a lot of creativity as is apparent in your poem. Because of the way the syllables wind down, it really punctuates the final words of the poem.
Great job on your first nonet! I am looking forward to reading many more!