Absolutes

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 Absolutes.

Structure of a cascade poem and Absolutes

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.

Absolutes
But there was a time in my youth
When expanding their consciousness
People searching for the truth
That day has passed I must confess

Now everyone is convinced in their mind
That gives them permission to act uncouth.
And shout and scream and be unkind.
But there was a time in my youth.

Everyone with a unique point of view
We live in a time of dire distress
Everyone doesn’t know what to do
 When expanding their consciousness

The 1960s have come and gone
Days of blind exploration of youth
Smoking dope on the courthouse lawn
People searching for the truth


There are only absolutes now
Absolutes to create a mess
We need to sit and talk somehow
That day has passed I must confess

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!