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 this style of poetry for December. I think it might prove to be my biggest challenge—the first poem of the month I tittle The Writer’s Dilemma.
The Writer’s Dilemma
Word Daddy is the name of my muse/ the dude who sings the blues
He claims I don’t pay him enough/ the one who acts so tough
He has a valid point/ with his nose always out of joint
I can’t pay him if I don’t have a dime/ who never has the time
I want to do right by him/ sometimes he is just so dim
Hiring a muse is risky/when he comes around smelling of whisky
I appreciate the good times we’ve had/ talking strong and acting bad
When he’s lit my creative fuse/ I wish he wouldn’t abuse
There are days when he knows his stuff/ sometimes he calls my bluff
With words crafted to anoint/ most of the time he can disappoint
He’s not to blame for prospects grim/ he disappears with every whim
I’d love to pay him while I work for free/ but he has to see
His situation makes me extremely sad/ providing me with the words would make me so glad
Show me the words and I’ll show you the money.
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.
Be sure to follow Molly on Twitter!
Molly, thus far, it’s been my greatest poetry challenge too 🙂
<3
David