I first saw Cleave Poetry on Ben Alexander’s wonderful blog, so I did a little research. This style of poetry, created by Dr. Phvoc-Tan Diep, is three poems combined into one with two contrasting views. The reader must read the right side of the poem. Then the left side of the poem. Finally, they must read all the lines to catch the entire meaning. I decided to try to write Cleave Poetry in December. I think it might prove to be my biggest challenge—the first poem of the month I tittle Black Friday.
Black Friday
Black Friday/ conspicuous consumerism.
Great deals for gift givers/ a magnificent display of greed
Love stocked on a shelf/a commercial smash and grab
The day following Thanksgiving Day/ running to and fro
Everyone congregating at the mall/ to buy stuff nobody will need
The cold, crisp air giving us the shivers/ it looks like it’s going to snow
Merchants crying, “come one, come all”/ I fell so lost in the crowd
Festive spirit so brilliant and bold/ Christmas carols played loud
A sparkling lighted Christmas tree/ gaudy decorations galore
Remembrance of a past holiday/ lets me know I’ve been here before
Deck the halls with red and green/a Santa sitting on a chair
A cup of hot chocolate to vanquish the cold/ Somehow it isn’t fair
Reindeer can sometimes be mean/ there are so few mysteries left to explore.
Who is Molly Shea?
Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh. To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.
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Wow, I love the plethora of poetry styles with which you experiment. Such a lovely format and wonderful poem! Black Friday is a great title too.
Thank you.
Wow, love this style of poem. Cleave poetry is just wonderful. And your poem is great. It gives the contrasting view on one line. It stirs my heart quite a bit.
Thank you.
I have felt your prayers with me these past weeks, my sister, and while it might be too early to tell, I think I have shaken off my pursuers from that place so that I can travel forward more safely.
I’ve created a new website — here’s a link to the first post:
https://veritasinverse.poetry.blog/2021/12/02/your-present-choice/
Many blessings for a beautiful holiday season, and much, much love to you ☺️
Well done! This is a tricky form, will have to give it a go.
Thank you.