I’ve found an amazing group of poets at Carrot Ranch.com where every third Monday of the month, I host the Double Ennead Challenge as a guest at the Saddle Up Saloon.
Follow the link to the challenge.
What’s a double ennead? 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.

I asked the poets to use the image above to compose their double ennead poem.
Here are the poems from the 2/15/2021 challenge:
Changing Fate’s Strings (Of Things That Burrow) / Double Ennead Sacred sleep is disturbed In hare burrows, too A Princess wakes from images of spring Paris… By little fragments of Broken mage mirrors Thorns of roses cut deep Then accumulate In torrents of raven shadow, embody The treacle of princes Unwilling to budge Their harsh oeillade visions; Whatsoever they Find they think they can rightfully claim as theirs – Be strong, fool winters’ hounds! Change the story’s end! Jules
RISE, SPRING SUN Winter slinks into view, a wily stranger from the unforgiving east, a weather feast alighting on the land, suffering shadows. Here I ignite my stove, cedar and fir burn, as I peer into the night, content to hide, to shelter in the warmth, the comfort of home. On the coming morrow, snow mantles the earth, the Beaufort Hills glisten with streaks of brilliance, the softening of time, the rising spring sun. Bill Engleson
Remembering Alone I wake way too early Age defies long sleeps Morning light glows over the small frozen pond Trees and weeds glistening I see from my room Memories of thick ice I long for my youth When healthy muscles gladly shoveled away Creating smooth patches Enticing skate blades Swishing among others Speed, spills and laughter Hearing happy sounds that no longer exist Alone to remember Silent tears falling Sue Spitulnik
The Uncommon Cold The bleak uncommon cold of northern winters speaks not to warmer Southern Hemisphereans (well, bar Antarctica and kitsch Christmas cards). If I was there today I’d want to leave soon and sit by a fire with a dead tree book sipping a fine cab sav and munching hot toast. Philistine, you may say, seek horizons new! But when icy chill has froze my nose and toes, my ticket cum bookmark siren calls me home. Doug Jacquier
Surrender of Winter soft pastels mist the morn skyward gaze aglow rising sun takes a look-see through clouds above tasks at hand reaching out nature has purpose daybreak yields its aura adapting rhythm the universe spreads heartbeats through icy fields so gelid to the touch emotions exposed morning turns to morrow gentle touch of warmth quiets lack-luster alabaster landscapes the days omens faded bartering of spring Eugis Milieu
Let's Paint a Picture Dreamy pastels await Color palette grab Listen, hear now the soft pinks calling, melting Away like sweet butter Frosting on a cake! Turning shades of blue to Creamy violet Eyes close tight —Imagine a vision, picture A fantasy, magic A painting finished! Winter delight so warm Whites seem to vanish Seemingly Sinks into the deep freeze below That image born within Heaven far away! Myrna Migala
Wonder Land mystical fleecy white powdery softness blankets the landscape, clinging to the grasses pink and purple hues ethereal beauty undisturbed and serene misty wintry light invisible life hides beneath the flora fantastical angels protection guardians hurry, whisk me away mysteriously, please to encounter the beings living beneath surrounded and cradled protected always ~RuthScribbles
Many thanks to everyone who participated in this challenge. Writing poetry makes us better writers!
Read: How Studying Poetry Made Me a Better Writer
I’ll be back at the Saloon, on Monday, March 15th! What are you waiting for? Join in and get your poetry on!

Wow, these are some awesome poets. I enjoyed their verses very much 🍀🙋♀️🐝
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Thanks so much for reading, Bee. You should join in. I’d love that! ❤️
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Thanks for the invitation 🤗. Once I get myself organised… 😊🙋♀️🐝
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Anytime, Bee. You know that. ❤
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Thank you…
Enchanting entries everyone 🙂
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There is so much great poetry here! I love it. ❤
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Thank you for sharing, Colleen! I loved reading such wonderful poems by other poets! ❤️
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Thanks, Franci for being part of this. I’m so ticked with the turn out. Great poetry, too! ❤
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You’re welcome, Colleen! 😊
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Thanks for the opportunity, Colleen, to stretch my double ennead chops…I am clearly in talented company…
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You are so welcome! Everyone worked so hard. You deserve a pat on the back! ❤
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A lyrical collection. Well done everyone.
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Thanks so much, Norah. This form is fun to write. Such great poetry! 😍❤️
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Yes – some good results. 🙂
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Thank you.
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