A Cleave poem
| I dissolve | like instant coffee | |
| and artificial sweetener | in boiling water | |
| tasting almost natural | but not really because it | |
| becomes me, | infuses my neurons | |
| even as I recline backwards | with greater force than caffeine | |
| upon my spinal cord | ever did | |
| pensively, | even more so than when I | |
| drink Black Label Brewed Coffee and | wake up to | |
| write | poetry |
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 
David, I absolutely adore this poem form and poem. How lovely it is! โค๏ธ
๐๐ค Jeff ๐ค๐
So well written, David ๐ซ
Waking up to poetry. Add birds and coffee and what else do you need? (K)
๐ Kerfe ๐
Fantastic, brilliant!
โค Suzette โค
Blessings and Peace to you David.
Wow.. This was a ‘sweet’ poem๐๐โค๏ธ
โค Wow… you're a sweet person โค
I have never read a Cleave poem before. I like it! Well done.
Joan,
It’s hard, but fun! And if you try one, please share the link with me ๐
โค
David
I will!๐
i will try to write one when my block is gone.
Yes, do! And when you do – please share the link with me here.
โค
David
i was not sure how to share to a follower. i am still learning this wordpress. ๐
๐ just copy-paste the URL into a comment – easy peazy.
โค
David
ok i will do that next time. thanks Ben. ๐
Awesome ๐
BTW, please feel free to call me ‘David’. That’s my first name. ‘ben’ means ‘son of’ in Hebrew.
๐
David
very cool
Wanna give it a shot, Art?
โค
David
Thank you for the sweetness. ๐๐ค
โค โค Filipa โค โค – thanks for the appreciation.
It’s always a pleasure David. ๐
Love this, David. So unique. Looks fun.๐
Grace, it is! if you write one, please share the link with me โค
Absolutely .๐โค๏ธ๐
fascinating, even though (or because?) I don’t quite understand the concept or practice of left-hand poem and right-hand poem. Did you have to write 2 before this one? Or are you working with found poetry?
no – it’s not found poetry – it’s just 3 poems written as one. this one is a bit impressionistic, I’d say.
I love a cup of lemon tea in the morning(never drunk coffee), its so refreshing! ๐ Nicely penned!
do you drink caffeine in other forms? black tea? Coke?