In its most basic form a cleave poem is three poems: two parallel 'vertical' poems (left to right)...with a third 'horizontal' poem being the fusion of the vertical poems read together. It was created by Dr. Phuoc-Tan Diep. He says, "One of my aims was to examine how something can be more than the sum of its parts and can be 3 in 1: synergy, fusion, cooperation, dialectics, marriage, interdependence, teamwork and The Trinity."
Cosmic Truth
I am where I'm going, yet
a star stares
from the sky,
a flash in the distance
a footstep torn
to shreds
death again.
© 2010 by Kathryn Feigal. All rights reserved.
Wow... That is impressive.
ReplyDeleteThis seems, as far I can understand it, to work on so many levels! And in one of those marvelous coincidences of music and life, just as I started reading this, my music happened to land on Cassandra Wilson a (jazz singer) covering Sting's song "Fragile" "[...]on and on the rain will fall, like tears from the stars[...]". I love it when the music fits events so well it feels like a soundtrack to life.
There have been some hard prompts, but this one seems, to me, the hardest yet. It's the first I'm not sure I could do at all... Not sure I understand the rules in spite of seeing several completed examples.
I've never heard of a Cleave Poem before. Love it!
ReplyDeletePS: Ah, your sweet mama. 96 and still playing the piano. Holy amazing woman!!
Kass,
ReplyDeleteI love this type of poem, the idea of synergy, fusion and Trinity. I have tried my hand composing a cleave poem… it was fun.
You are full of great surprises.
loveNlight
Gabi
ooo, what a neat trick!
ReplyDeleteClever, Kass. You're becoming more of a poet than the poets.
ReplyDeleteI am over the moon with this one! Every day with you is like going to a college level .. no make that a grad level .. class. And so much more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool and a challenge I'm sure. I had never heard of cleave poems before either. (Mine are just cut poems!)
ReplyDeleteKim
This was a new one to me ... and totally amazing. You are one talented lady!
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing. I not heard of that, I shall have to experiment with the form . Hearty thanks for introducing it.
ReplyDeleteAs with the rest, I have not heard of a cleave poem. Wow, a new thing to learn, wahoo.
ReplyDeleteKass, you are a deft hand at that! I am mightily impressed. I don't know that my brain would be able to juggle all the layers at one time. But then, I'm not a poet.
ReplyDeleteALESA - So that's where you got tear-shaped stars. I love Cassandra Wilson. I have a few of her CDs.
ReplyDeleteTERESSA - The music in my mama is amazing.
GABI - I would love to see what you came up with.
JULIE - It is tricky.
ELISABETH - I don't know about that, but thank you.
HELEN - You are too kind. Every time I reread one of my poems, before I hit 'publish,' I think "Oh, this is so High School."
NUMINOSITY - Your cut poems are great!
S. ETOLE - I think we should both print out our poems and pictures. Maybe you have.
DAVE - I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
MARIE - I can see you doing one of these. Please share.
LESLIE - What you write is poetic. Your way with words is a marvel.