My 1st Cleave poem
there’s | no rhyme to | |
what poets write and | what poets experience | |
how they are understood | when they are read | |
by critics picking their fantasies | apart / from | |
from stacks of books delivered | ||
by publishers, not knowing | the rhythms of their hearts | |
them and their little birds | fluttering so vulnerably | |
yearning | hoping against hope | |
for understanding | among the earth dwellers |
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!
Wow – that’s a tricky so-and-so to write. Well done David! Like some of the others, am tempted to have a bash. Also, noted Selma’s comments – and I too have had two more recent notifications that you are following me As you say, probably a WP glitch.
It’s so weird, Marion… thank you for bringing it to my attention!
❤
David
I LOVE this David.. admirable and well thought out!
👏👏👏👏
❤ ❤ thanks, Cindy ❤ ❤
so welcome!💖
Brilliant! Now I’m itching to try one
❤ Bella ❤ – please do! And – when you do, please share the link with me.
🙂
David