Dark Clouds

Udit Bhatia invented cascade poetry in 2007. This relatively new style of poetry got its name because it should flow down the page in a waterfall effect. The poem’s structure is simple and relies on the refrain to create the cascading rhythm. The magic of these poems centers around the refrain. The unmetered poems vary in theme depending on the poet’s desire. The only rule used when writing a cascade is that all the lines in the first paragraph are repeated at the ends of every stanza that follows. I will call this cascade poem Dark Clouds.

Structure of a cascade poem and Dark Clouds.

1. The first stanza has three lines.
2. The lines are represented as ABC.
3. The first line ends with line A.
4. The second line ends with Line B.
5. The third line ends with line C.

I had written this form of poetry before and had fun with it. I plan to start the month of March using this style. The length of the stanza can vary. There is no rule about sticking to three lines. The thing to remember is that the longer the stanza, the more complicated the poem.

Dark Clouds

There’s this cloud hanging over my head
It follows me everywhere I go
It’s dark and dreary, no sunshine here
And when it will end, I don’t know.

I thought the sun would come out to play
It hid somewhere in the mist instead
Now I wonder around in the dark
There’s this cloud hanging over my head.

I knew the rain would have to stop
I waited for the sun to show
But the gloom was what I got
It follows me everywhere I go.

It happened on a winter day
When the sky shed a frantic tear
And the sky turned dismal and gray
It’s dark and dreary, no sunshine here

I need the warmth─the absence of snow
A day with the sun shining all around,
Upon a weary world lost in grime,
And when it will end, I don’t know.

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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