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 Settling For Funky.
Structure of a cascade poem and Settling For Funky
The lines are represented as ABC.
- The first line ends with line A.
- The second line ends with Line B.
- 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.
Settling For Funky Stuck waiting there in the dry, soft spot I search my memory for the right words And I always wanted to be Emily Dickinson But I guess I’d settle for being more funky. It all comes down to the slick idea I bought Back when I was a poor kid with big dreams Typing into the night and my mama’s screams Stuck waiting there in the dry, soft spot. Ideas are as cheap as fluttering birds, Fluttering wings take me away from here Between these walls of longing and fear I search my memory for the right words So many reasons I didn’t mention Made me want to cry The thing is I had to try And I always wanted to be Emily Dickinson Now my rhythms sound clumsy and clunky While I sit at another kitchen table And write the only thing that I am able But I guess I’d settle for being more funky.
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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