Butterscotch Pudding

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 Butterscotch Pudding.

Structure of a cascade poem and Butterscotch Pudding

The lines are represented as ABC.

1. The first line ends with line A.
2. The second line ends with Line B.
3. 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.

Butterscotch Pudding

It doesn’t look like much. 
When you first put in the powder
And the milk is in the bowl
Mix it for a while at high speed, 
 Until we have butterscotch pudding.

You have to have that special touch
And combine it with a pinch of faith
Deep down in the pit of your soul
Because when you take the first glance
It doesn’t look like much

Why don’t you shout a little louder,
So they can hear you in the next room?
You know it’s going to turn out right
There’s going to be a spoon fight
When you first put in the powder.

Everyone has to play the right role
Because that’s what we always do
Someone should probably fetch the broom
Things tend to get messy around here
And the milk is in the bowl

There is a difference between greed and need
I wish someone would turn on the light
Someone wants more than his share
Passions are running high in this room
Mix it for a while at high speed.

I don’t see any reason for shoving and pushing
There’s always enough to go around
I don’t consider it very fair
When it’s me doing all the fancy mixing
Until we have butterscotch pudding.

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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