Nonet Poems

Year 8 has been studying the Australian film, Yolngu Boy in English. Here are some of the students’ Nonet poems written in response to the film. 

A Nonet poem is a nine-line poem, where the first line contains nine syllables, and each successive line must have one less syllable, until the final line of just the one syllable.

Three boys of a tribe bonded as friends

Keen to be Yolngu hunters

Lorrpu, Milika and Botj

Life separates their paths

They find their way back

Trip to Darwin!

Friends again

Like kids!

Loose.

Emily Borg (Year 8)

The three of us are one with the land

We rely on our bush teachings 

Darwin is where we’re going

Gods appear in our dreams

Animals, we hunt

Skinny dipping?

Adventure!

Romance?

Death? 

Angus Blythe (Year 8)

Yolngu Boy - a film of courage 

Three boys escaping to Darwin

Trying to find a fresh start 

Learning to live off the land 

Botj, Lorrpu, Milika 

They fight to survive: 

Escaping men

Working hard

Slipping ...

Away.

Will McAteer (Year 8)

Lorrpu, Milika and Botj hunting

Botj runs off and gets in trouble

Botj is in trouble - lets go!

Lorrpu is worried

So is Milika 

“This isn’t good.”

“Let’s go look”

Oh no!

“BOTJ?”

Marissa McDonald (Year 8)

Lorrpu and friends running to Darwin

When the force catches up to them

They scramble and hide for shade

Botj is hurt - he must rest!

We need food to eat

Lorrpu, go hunt!

Travel quick!

Dawu!

Wait!

Joshua Nguyen (Year 8)

Milika’s friend Botj will self-destruct

Hanging outside of his gaol cell;

Breaking in, it's time to run

Through unknown Aussie bush

Leave behind your life,

Create new bonds

Please, don't die!

‘He's gone!’

‘Where?’

Aliza Vagg (Year 8)

We hope you enjoyed our Nonet poems.

Mr Stephen Knight
English Coordinator