Some poetic forms are created with specific intent. Others evolve over time or are derived from pre-established forms. But legend has it the mysterious magic 9 form was actually created as the result of a spelling error.
The story: A fast-typing poet misspelled the word “abracadabra” as “abacadaba,” and immediately recognized a rhyme scheme: abacadaba.
Outside of that nine-line scheme, there are no set rules for the magic 9. Don’t be surprised, however, if the “a” rhymes spirit you away — poetically speaking, that is.
Here are two examples by Poetic Asides readers.