A Cleave poem
| looking out for a place to go | these words find their audience hall | |
| to perform | in… | |
| you, such as you are and | you | |
| aren’t… | and whoever else will harken, such as | |
| your poetry | community members | |
| of many clever, nuanced allusions | that draw subtle connections | |
| to desperate, yearning loneliness, | understanding | |
| much of | our shared human condition | |
| which will never find relief | in its most revealing, honest moments | |
| regardless of setting | across all of history |
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.
d’Verse
At d’Verse, poets were invited to write a poem that includes one line, and one line only, from ABBA’s only number-one hit, Dancing Queen. Poems can be any form, length, and about any topic… as long as they include, word for word, one line and one line only, from Dancing Queen!
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 🇮🇱 
Good cleave poem! I actually love some of ABBA’s songs, have you ever listened to “Gimme gimme”?
Of course 😀
I had the ABBA box set when I was a teenager!
ahhh nice! You like Boney M?
I confess that I hadn’t heard of them…
Listen to this:
very catchy! 🙂
Indeed! ❤
🥰
This one made me think. So much about poetry and art in general is subjective since we individually filter it through our own experiences.
❤ Muri ❤
interesting. might pique my interest
If you try your hand at one, please share the link with me, David!
❤
David
I’ve given it a go, will upload on your Shabbat
🎉
Such a clever form, and you make it look easy, David. We will ever be your audience hall and community center as your poetic words allure us in with wordplays and witty turns of thought.
Pax,
Dora
Awwwww…. Thanks, Dora!
❤
David
Wowza! Very clever and downright wonderfully written David! 😀
💛💓 Carol 💓💛
I can’t pick out just one part of this–apart and together, it sings. (K)
💖🖤 Kerfe 🖤💖
Very well crafted, David.
😻 Dolly 😻
Another wonderful poem.
🧡💗 Lauren 💗🧡
Very cool form, I’ve never tried a Cleave poem. Thanks for the great example.
🤎💞 Chris 💞🤎 – if you do, please share the link with me
-David
Well THAT is amazing..and an experience for the reader — positive, very. That was really well done, and new for me.
🤍💟 Ain 💟🤍 – very kind, thank you.
-David
Sometimes we just need poetry to help find those answers.
This is a very well crafted cleave poem, David.
❤ Ken ❤ – thank you so much.
These words find their audience hall. Yes!
I’ve always liked this form and you’ve mastered it here. Three in one and each well done. Great use of the line too.
❤ Lillian ❤ – thanks for the fun prompt!
-David