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 Cleave Poetry in December. I think it might prove to be my biggest challenge—the next poem of the month I titled Winter Weather Advisory. We aren’t experiencing one now, but we all know one is coming.
Winter Weather Advisory
Weatherman predicts heavy snow/ please say it isn’t so
Accompanied by blowing wind/ winter has never been my friend
Time to delight in the fireplace glow/temperatures drop to 20 below
We need to buy milk, eggs, and bread/ we need supplies to be feed
A grocery store run is in order/ turning us all into a hoarder
Stock up is a storm tradition/because I don’t want to die of starvation
Snow falling makes me glad/ leave now before the roads get bad
A white blanket on the ground/ I don’t want to slip and slide around
A peaceful calm without sound/ it’ll pile up quickly in a heavy mound
Build a snowman with a carrot nose/the cold freezes my toes
Hot chocolate by the fire/ the weatherman might be a liar
A snow day if the predictions are true/ I’m ready to experience something new.
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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Aside from how well you craft these, Molly (and this one in particular), I’m impressed by how long your cleaves are – the longer they are, the harder!
<3
David
I absolutely love this style! I first saw it on David’s blog too. Curious to try it myself, looks challenging.
You’ve done yours wonderfully. Gave me that anticipation before a big snow feel. I really enjoy all the different images I get from each poem alone and then how they mix in that final read through. ❄️ I’m looking forward to reading more.
Thank you.
I agree, your work with this form is becoming more compelling. In the pandemic, there have been bouts of hoarding, of course. Store shelves are still empty of some things. But when there’s a winter storm called generally, there is action just as you describe. You’ve become an effective keeper of this story.
Love this. What a wonderful style and I would like to try it too.
Thank you.
I’ve never heard of this poetic form before. How fun is that. And you nailed it. I loved this. 😀