The NONET is a poetic form based on nines. There are nine lines. The first line has nine syllables. Each successive line has one fewer, a sort
of “countdown” to the finish. I chose to repeat the Earth Day theme because, well, it bears repeating. Scientists know global warming has put our planet in a precarious position. She is teetering on the brink of a meltdown and when she goes, we all go. That seems reason enough to get your head out of Uranus, educate yourself on the many simple, Earth-friendly habits in your power, and start putting them in practice.
EARTH’S ULTIMATUM: LIVE “GREEN” OR DIE
Stripped of fossil fuels and rainforests,
feverish with greenhouse gasses,
knee-deep in melting ice caps,
rocked by violent storms,
choked on pollutants,
Earth draws a line
and dares us
to cross
it
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This post and poem definitely bears repeating. Thank you!
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Thanks, Ann! Appreciate the visit and comment. Happy belated Earth Day. Feel free to share if you wish. 🙂
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I love your technical perfection that never sacrifices the message. And personally, I do not dare cross that line that earth draws. Although the mystery may be, just exactly where that line is.
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Thanks, Tippy. Both are important, but I’d sacrifice form for message, if it came to that. I don’t think even the most educated scientist knows exactly where “the line” is, but I believe it’s closer than we think, in which case it’s better to be safe than sorry. 🙂
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I agree. And who knows, maybe we’ve already crossed that line.
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I don’t know how you do it! A timely message and a perfect nonet!
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Thanks, Marissa. The thesaurus helps. A lot. I wanted to call this form a noh-NAY, making it sound all French and fancy, but the darned dictionary says it’s just a plain old noh-NET. Oh well. 🙂
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I like noh-Nay! I maybe should have named my daughter that! I well, most people have probably never even heard of a noh-net. Why confuse them further?
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I love the form and the message Joan. This is in my field of work so I know just how important this topic is and if I didn’t know, we are feeling it everywhere. Sadly, it’s taken 21 international conferences of close to two hundred countries and we still behave as if we have all the time in the world. Every voice counts in this struggle. Well done! Hope to catch up with you soon – it’s been a crazy month! 😀
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Thanks, Chevvy. I loved how the form echoed the message in this one, the lines getting smaller and smaller like the Earth’s dwindling resources. Our leaders downplay the issue, no wonder people aren’t alarmed. I’m glad European nations are taking it seriously and making laws that promote conservation and decrease waste; the USA is light years behind them in recycling, fuel- efficient cars, renewable sources of power, etc. Pope Francis has been very vocal about it, too, which helps to counteract all the claims of “fake news.” Would the Pope lie to you? The best I can do is help get the word out, step up my own efforts, and be a good example. When I get my Sunday donuts, I bring a Tupperware box to put them in. Now I see other people doing it, too. Saving the planet isn’t one gigantic action… it is MILLIONS of small ones. 🙂
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Firstly, It’s good to chat with you. I agree that the form is very appropriate for your message.You are right about every action making a difference. I think that your whole way of living is far more sustainable than most. Unfortunately, our societies are driven by high consumerism and are still oblivious to the consequences which we are already experiencing. A country like ours is both a high emitter since we still rely heavily on coal and we’re on the receiving end of having to adapt to flash floods, changing temperatures,water scarcity. There is a lot of work to be done and instead of waiting for governments, citizens need to lead from below as far as they can. Good on you for your efforts Joan.😀
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Hi Joan, your nonet inspired and challenged me. Here is my feeble attempt to write one:
ENVIRONMENTAL IGNORAMUS
prefers short term over long term
doesn’t care about the future
buys more than he requires
leads a wasteful life
defiles the earth
harms us all
thinks small
FALLS!
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Wonderful, Peter! We have far too many “environmental ignoramuses” (or would it be ignorami?) pushing Earth to her limits. We all need to ignore the TV ads and the Joneses and harness the Power of Enough. Extreme luxury does not make people happier, actually it makes them greedier. 🙂
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What a neat poetic form, Joan. I like the Nonet, the name, the shape, and in your wonderful poem, the message. This is an important topic, and certainly, one that bears repeating. Poor Earth, she has been plundered and taken for granted. I can now see her drawing that line. Nice work, Joan!
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Thanks, Lana! I liked the shape too, how it draws down and comes to a point, just like the message. The lines work when left-aligned, but are more striking when centered. Earth is pretty remarkable at bouncing back, but how much plundering (love that word!) can she take? We need to get serious about cleaning her up, and the sooner the better. 🙂
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I agree wholeheartedly, Joan. This planet is such a treasure, truly remarkable. I also love the centering of the poem 😀
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Wow! What a creative warning.
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Thanks, KE. A sort of countdown, like watching the red seconds tick down on a bomb timer… wondering if the heroes will be able to defuse it in time. I think there is hope, but we need to cut through alternative facts and red tape and delays and GET BUSY. 🙂
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Brilliant! Profound and impactful!
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