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 Braiding Hair.
Structure of a cascade poem and Braiding Hair
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.
Braiding Hair Late Saturday morning the two sisters Watching cartoons on the television Performing with patience the hair braiding Ritual of diligence and quiet contentment The oldest is the specialized twister Weaving hair with hands of precision In a style she saw on U-tube Late Saturday morning the two sisters The youngest I should mention Has a sensitive head And would rather be in bed instead of Watching cartoons on the television It didn’t take much persuading. For older sister to convince the younger Her hair was a hot mess and stated into Performing with patience the hair braiding There wasn’t much chance of advancement. For the youngest who was told not to move While the oldest got into the grove trapped in a Ritual of diligence and quiet contentment
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!
very cool idea
Thank you.
How you like this one?
The Old Man and the Brain
“I am never leaving here.”
“Ha! Silly silly old man!”
“It’s too hard to understand?”
“Fool you’re the one in the dark!”
“Please calm yourself down my friend”
“Get your shit together, Man.”
“I see you’ve not moved one inch.”
“I am never leaving here.”
“Much talk no action, huh Brain?”
“Stay if you like or like not.”
“I told you I’m not leaving.”
“Ha! Silly silly old man!”
“You say I might really go?”
“Oh yes. You’ll go. Slow but go.”
“I fear you’re making no sense!”
“It’s too hard to understand?”
“I understand you’ve gone mad!”
“Me? No you have old small man!”
“Oh Brain. Make me laugh out loud!”
“Fool you’re the one in the dark!”
A. Hernandez 3 30 2023
Wonderful!!!
thank you. this is Brain talking. not Old Man. 😉
Thanks for sharing this idea. Anita