The Key (Naani Form)

Forgiveness is the key

That unlocks the door

Shut closed by Anger,

So that  Love's rays can come in...and heal.





Copyright ~~~Cynthia Buhain Baello~~~~04.15.13

*A "Naani"  poem has 4 lines with 25 syllables ,  on any topic.


NAANI POEMS

Naani is one of India’s' most popular Telugu poems.

Naani means an expression of one and all.

It consists of 4 lines, the total lines consists of 20 to 25 syllables.

The poem is not bounded to a particular subject.

Generally it depends upon human relations and current statements.

This poetry was introduced by one of the renowned Telugu poets Dr. N.Gopi,
presently working as vice-chancellor to Telugu University, Andhra Pradesh.

EXAMPLE: MIDNIGHT

My days may be hot,
my nights may be cold,
but I still have the blessing . . .
of growing old.

Write a Naani: try one, they are easy so experiment, they can be fun, and they are not restricting. The one above has 21 syllables. Have fun with your words as that is what Poetry is suppose to be about. Play, invent, create, and remember your poems are not set in stone; you can revise at any time. Even make several Form Poems from your first idea. Then chain several together for a Naani Medley.

(SOURCE: www.examiner.com/articles)

Reviews

[Trigorin]

I personally don't like the comma in the third line or the ellipses in the fourth. I think it's too artificial of a way to control the pacing - it would be more aesthetically pleasing on the page without them and I think it would look simpler and more refined as well, but that's just my opinion. Topic is a little generic, but what isn't with these shorter forms? You've kept things interesting and your metaphor is solid. Good work.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Wow such a positive words painted in a few lines, really an amazing job here. Mam C what is the format of Naani?

[cynthiabuhainbaello]

Thank you Marc Marlon - the Naani is an Indian Telugu poem format using four lines, there are 25 syllables spread out in those four lines. Some may vary
from 20-25 syllables, and the poem topic maybe be about nature or human emotions and struggles. One example I wrote was titled
"Infidelity"

When Love, in mercurial flight forsakes
The one that it once cherished -
Tears that flow leave vows and rings ...tarnished.

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Stunning! I will learn a lot just reading your work, Thanks Ms. Thia :)

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Sorry I call Ms. Thia because Cynthia is too long :)

[cynthiabuhainbaello]

Thanks again - you can call me Ate Cyn or Tita Cyn as I am senior (64 years old) -take care and keep writing!

[Marc Marlon Villaflor]

Ate Cyn na lang :) ikaw din take care, ate sigue salamat.

[cynthiabuhainbaello]

Thank you Trigorin for your comment. I respect your preferences with regard to punctuations, but I have always used them in my Naani poems ("Infidelity") not for an artificial control of pacing or the any other reasons, it is just my own style. I have never written to manipulate readers' emotions but to express a thought the way I want to say it, and the reader may read something in it based on his own view. The fact that it touches a reader in a way is good enough for me - and I choose topics whether generic, common, superficial ("Lessons From a Frog") or mundane. It depends on the reader's perception and I do not dictate it, I just write.