Whittled Words – Cascade Poem

Posted by Brad Osborne on December 17, 2021 · 14 Comments 

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Welcome to the weekly series, Whittled Words. A series highlighting the innumerable types and styles of poetry to challenge any creative wordsmith. This week’s selection:

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CASCADE POEM

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Since I was having trouble coming up with a poem today, I thought I would investigate a new poetic form to help prompt me into action. I have seen the cascade poem mentioned a few times online, but I always assumed it meant the poem was comprised of stanzas with indented lines (creating a kind of cascading effect). But after researching online, I realize this assumption is wrong.

The cascade poem was a form invented by Udit Bhatia (who also apparently created the Alliterisen, which I will try to deal with in a future post). For the cascade poem, a poet takes each line from the first stanza of a poem and makes those the final lines of each stanza afterward. Beyond that, there are no additional rules for rhyming, meter, etc.

So, to help this make sense, here’s what a cascade poem with a tercet would look like:

A
B
C

a
b
A

c
d
B

e
f
C

A quatrain cascade would look so:

A
B
C
D

a
b
c
A

d
e
f
B

g
h
i
C

j
k
l
D

And, of course, you can make this even more involved if you want.

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Examples of Cascade Poems:

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“CONFLICT”

By Robert Lee Brewer

Tonight is perfect for staying inside,
but I’m busy contorting my organs.
For instance, my heart and brain love to fight.

Sometimes, you can see them twist my body
this way and that when it is raining, though
tonight is perfect for staying inside.

My lungs breathe heavy and my skin itches
to touch you, to let you know I’m all right,
but I’m busy contorting my organs.

It’s a put off, I know. Losing control
when I’m around you, unable to say,
for instance, my heart and brain love to fight.

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UNTITLED

Copyright © 2007 Udit Bhatia

 

I laugh hard at the poor butcher,

With scarlet hands and crimson eyes,

He smiles as he cuts away.

They gather around him everyday,

“unholy killer” they all scream.

I laugh hard at the poor butcher.

Deaf towards the plea of all,

the buther’s fate was long written

with scarlet hands and crimson eyes.

Children cry amidst the crowd,

a mother faints, another screams.

He smiles as he cuts away.

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FLICKERING LIGHT

By Brad Osborne

Amidst the quiet hush of falling snow

A candle burns bright in a small window

And welcome is shown in its even glow

Though the home is considerably small

Yet is filled with the love for one and all

Amidst the quiet hush of falling snow

A signal is sent out upon the night

Shelter and warmth in its radiant light

A candle burns bright in a small window

Frost creeps its fingers across windowpane

As tired, old hands set plain wax to flame

And welcome is shown in its even glow

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I hope you have enjoyed this entry to the series, Whittled Words. I look forward to your comments, and if you dare, maybe share your own cascade poem. Thanks for reading!

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