Grace’s challenge is as follows:
Poetry challenge: Write a poem using the Nove Otto poetry format. Suggested themes are November, endings or beginnings, and gratitude (in the USA, it is Thanksgiving Day). A Nove Otto poem is a nine-lined poem with 8 syllables per line (isosyllabic). The rhyme scheme is as follows: aacbbcddc.
You can join in here: https://dversepoets.com/2024/11/28/poetry-form-nove-otto/
Face turned towards the golden light
Sprawled on a branch at a great height
Leg muscles deceptively lax
Eyes appear closed as if he sleeps
The unaware misfortune reaps
So swiftly the leopard attacks
Fat bird goes down in spray of blood
Falls to the ground with boneless thud
Cat’s gorging natural climax
This video depicts a leopard attack on a troop of baboons. It isn’t my video.
roberta-writes.com 
I love the diversity of your poetry, Robbie. Thank you.
LikeLike
Well-described in verse, Robbie!
LikeLike
Thank you, Merril.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic poem, Roberta. It’s cool seeing those baboons fighting back and depriving the leopard of its meal.
LikeLike
Yes, that is also part of nature. Baboons are very scary. I’d rather face a leopard than a baboon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is very good Robbie. We have a hawk that has taken a couple birds out of our back yard. Sad, but a necessary part of nature.
LikeLike
Hi DAn, it is part of nature. I was upset when an owl killed my baby hadeda last year. We lost another baby yesterday. It fell out of the tree and was smashed to death on the ground below. Makes me sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can’t help but be sad, Robbie.
LikeLike
Excellent poem. Leopards are quick.
LikeLike
HI Timothy, they are very quick. All the cats are when they are hunting (and not sleeping – haha!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great description of a cat hunting. That relaxed look that is so deceiving. (Except for my cat; she really is relaxed and will not hunt) I like this poetic form, you used it well!
LikeLike
Your poem depicts the scene perfectly Robbie, leopards are so swift.
Bravo to the baboons 👏👏
LikeLike
Hi Maggie, baboons are very vicious. The leopard made the right decision to beat a hasty exit.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Robbie
Yes it was greatly outnumbered as well .
LikeLike
Always terrific poetry Robbie: great feel for the visual nature of words.
LikeLike
Hi John, expressing ideas within the confinement of a defined syllabic format is a great challenge for me.
LikeLike
I can just imagine that leopard draped over the branch.
LikeLike
I am actually painting the picture that will go with this poem. Leopards are incredible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The cruel cycle of life! That must have been horrifying.
LikeLike
Hi Jan, predators must eat so you get used to the hunts and kills. I always feel sorry for the dinners though. Animals don’t kill for fun or out of hatred or greed. They only kill to eat.
LikeLike
brutal but beautifully written —
LikeLike
HI John, I suppose I have become used to predator kills so they don’t upset me that much anymore. It is part of nature.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cats are very good at waiting for the right moment. (K)
LikeLike
They are, thank you, Kerfe
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poem does a good job of depicting leopard behavior. I had to stop watching the video at the 19 second mark.
LikeLike
Poor leopard was driven away and left his kill behind. Baboons are very vicious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So their vocalizations would suggest!
LikeLike
The cat relaxing is very deceiving. Love your nove otto poem. Thanks for joining in.
LikeLike
A bit gory but this is life.
LikeLike
Yes, even domestic cats do this. Domestic cats kill millions of birds every year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I know but a larger animal killing a large primate is something else.
LikeLike
The natural world as it is however the bravery and togetherness of the babboons was awesome to watch they were not going to let the leopard have his prey…as always you have a natural sense with the animal world and portray the reality very well xx
LikeLike
Leopards are under appreciated. They seem to live everywhere, even urban areas. People tend to forget the baboons also have huge teeth.
LikeLike
I wasn’t familiar with this poetry format — there seems to be lots of different ones. Your poem does a really good job of building anticipation while the leopard waits for just the right moment to attack.
LikeLike
What a visual poem, Robbie. You captured a moment in nature perfectly.
LikeLike
Natures way. You tell it well.
LikeLike
Really well done, Robbie. Great poem… bam, bam, bam and gone! Vid also great, although sad, of course, but that’s what happens.
LikeLike
Dear Roberta, I much prefer your poem to the Ambush on Baboons video! I’m probably too far away from real nature! Many thanks and all the best.
LikeLike
And so goes the circle of life so beautifully explained in your wonderful poem. Hard as it is to read, it is real. So very real!
LikeLiked by 1 person
HI Dale, thank you. The animal world is one of survival but its a lot easier to understand and appreciate than human behaviour. I think that’s why I like animals so much – smile!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely. They do what they need to to survive, not just because.
LikeLike
Yes, exactly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
💞
LikeLike
I love reading about big cats. 🙂 They are fascinating! Wonderful poem.
LikeLike
Most remarkable, Robbie — vivid and intense. Hugs.
LikeLike
Thank you, Teagan. Leopards hare just like that – smile!
LikeLike
“Deceptively lax” indeed! I imagine it’s a mercy to be killed even before the leopard’s prey has time to be afraid. The scene comes alive in your hands, Robbie.
LikeLike
Hi Dora, this is exactly how these large cats are. They look like they’re asleep until suddenly, they are not. Thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s the circle of life.
LikeLike
Yes, that is true 🌺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fun poem form. I had never heard of the Novo Otto form. I think you did a good job with it. Crazy video–I wouldn’t have thought it turned out like it did!
LikeLike
Hi Priscilla, I didn’t know this form either. There are so many poetry forms. Baboons are very vicious and a whole troop of angry baboons is very dangerous. I’m a lot more scared of a baboon than a leopard.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such is the circle of life! Excellent poem, Robbie!
LikeLike
Thank you, Lauren.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, wow! This is so good, Robbie. You are a keen observer.
LikeLike