My 2nd Cleave poem
| she loves | his gruff voice, his calling card | |
| that he leaves | his hot temper by | |
| his shoes neatly by the door, | now | |
| ajar, open to a world | well known to her | |
| that could offer support | whenever his arm rises up into the air | |
| should she need | to make his tyranny known โ | |
| helpโฆ | she wants to scream | |
| but of course, she doesnโt | and whimpers in terror instead |
How to read a Cleave poem?
Simply:
- Read the left hand poem as a first discrete poem.
- Read the right hand poem as a second discrete poem.
- Read the whole as a third integrated poem.
Let’s write poetry together!
When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.
–Ben Harper (b. 1969)
Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!
The Skeptic's Kaddish ๐ฎ๐ฑ 
Wow. how powerful. I love this style. Thank you for sharing.
๐๐๐ป๐ Molly ๐๐๐ป๐
This one is really clever!
๐๐ JYP ๐๐
A cleave in more ways than one. (K)
๐๐ Kerfe ๐๐
oh wow this one gave me goosebumps. i read exactly as written.
๐งก๐ Kunjal ๐๐งก
Spectacular!! That was scary .. I saw his raised arm.. and felt her fear. You should screen play write , David.
๐๐ค Yassy ๐ค๐
Chilling in simplicity and amazing in complexity. This one should have a wider audience. Submit for publication??
Maybe eventually…
Well written! This was scary ๐ฒ, the cleave poem form is apt for it!
๐๐ค Veera ๐ค๐
Wow!! Brilliant piece of poetry, David. Amazing!!! ๐
๐๐ Aishwarya ๐๐
Mind blowing. I could never.
๐ค๐ Ron ๐๐ค
That’s brilliant.
And terrifying.
๐๐ Limp ๐๐
I like this form…good job.
๐ Ron ๐
Very impressive! I am learning way more depth about the art of poetry from your posts.
๐ Shelly ๐ – thanks so much.
-David