A Cleave poem
I fell in | love with | |
the city of my birth, but my | deep commitment to | |
family could not | provide support enough to | |
get me through that period of | those | |
difficult days | that most required it | |
because I was alone. so, I sucked it up, as | was my father’s way, which | |
he would have done, and which | I found hardest to emulate | |
during that period… | throughout the long years | |
his beloved city sternly taught me | of painful growth and courage |
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!
Very cool! I want to try this format!
❤ Kim ❤ – thanks!
(if you do try it, please share the URL to your post with me!)
Sincerely,
David
I’m a fan of this style of poetry. Both are so different but blend so well together. You must do many more, David. Awesome! 🙂
I really like the challenge that this form presents me!
❤
David
David, this is beautiful. 💗💗
💖 LaDonna 💖 – thank you so much…
-David
💗💗
really a fine poem, David ~
✨🙏🏻✨ M. ✨🙏🏻✨
Wonderful form and execution! It seems a glimpse into the events that formed you…
💞💛 Muri 💛💞
A lovely poem, David, with an awesome ending. ❤️
🥰💜 Jeff 💜🥰
🥰💜🥰
This is so good. I like it. Wow. xo
💛💗 Selma 💗💛