Purple Flowers

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 Purple Flowers.

Structure of a cascade poem and Purple Flowers

The first stanza has three lines.

1. The lines are represented as ABC.
2. The first line ends with line A.
3. The second line ends with Line B.
4. 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.

Purple Flowers

I watched the rain run down my window
Seconds before it switched to blowing snow
Purple flowers pushed their head up out of the dirt
Searching for the warmth of the sunshine yesterday

I don’t know why the buds decided to grow
It’s too early to sprout as planned.
Purple flowers engaged in a dangerous growth spurt
I watched the rain run down my window.

They weren’t created because I decided to sow.
I know it is much too early for the flowers to start
There is a chance for the winter’s return
Seconds before it switched to blowing snow

The wind kicked up, and the cold hurt
Blew so fiercely it made my face burn
I’m finding this weather hard to understand
Purple flowers pushed their head up out of the dirt

It is too early for the flowers to come and play
The cold will kill and make them wither away
Mother Nature playing her part
Searching for the warmth of the sunshine yesterday

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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