A cleave by any other name…Part 4: Triptych

I was doing what you call cleave poetry in the late 90's with the poetry group centered in Arlington Heights, IL. We called the poems triptychs because they could be read three ways. We also did wreath poems which shared words or phrases at the top and bottom but could be read three ways and V poems which shared only one word or phrase at the top or bottom. What you have done is create a movement and named the poetic type which is quite an accomplishment. Our group performed at Barnes and Noble, Borders, various coffee houses and the Green Mill where Marc Smith, the founder of slam poetry has his performances.

Richard Dates

rain–of poetry by Richard Dates

this poem is	my writing
about the rain	which forms patterns
in the air	dripping down
a gray presence	through time
a long affair	like a kind of scroll
sacred	not planned
by its wetness	promoting growth
penetrating	to some kind of root
deep into everything	but with no clear purpose
softening the light	diffusing its path
then drifting away	toward some unknown destination

A cleave poem for Dennis Kelly: Mountain Whispers, by Phuoc-Tan Diep

A cleave poem: Mountain Whispers.

“The first robins are here now, the little green crocus swords have worked their way upward, the first pink buds of the cherry trees are ready to bloom.” Dennis Kelly

when our mountain cries	– this
our waterfall	– I know all this is you
the crocus tips	– your fingertips
tender	– stretch up
bend gently and	– from the earth
the mountain’s breath	– your breath
stirs the trees, I see	– your eyes
beyond the leaves	– a face in
my hands	– outlines
in the sky	– Is that you or
the first robin singing	– the mountain whispers?

Premieres and Poetry: The Cleave editor at The Poetry Cafe, Covent Garden

Phuoc-Tan Diep will be performing 2 poems at the Poetry Cafe in Covent Garden next week: