Today, we’re talking about a poetic form. I’ll be honest, forms are not my specialty. I am not one who likes to be confined. But I do see how form and structure can also help expand your writing and create incredibly compelling art. I gravitate toward a few forms based on how they push me to rethink syntax and my overall use of language – one of which is the contrapuntal poem.
Learning The Form
A contrapuntal (or cleave) poem structures language in a way that creates multiple interwoven poems. The poem is separated into columns. Each column can be read individually as its own poem. Then, when you read across all of the columns, another poem appears. Let’s take a look at an example to fully understand the structure.
What Can This Look Like?
Cleave poems can be hard to conceptualize without an example, so I’ve taken a sample from my favorite contrapuntal that I have written to illustrate.
Excerpt from A. Beloved Coffin by Alex Aimee Kist
Note: lines with emdashes should be read in all columns
Within this excerpt, you can read four separate poems.
Poem I – First Column
that is where Kist comes in
a box,
what is a box
except a place for things to rot
there is a reason we press flowers and keep them
locked away in chests and drawers
in caskets, perhaps
made of stone or a hollowed tree
finally feeling full.
Poem II – Second Column
that is where Kist comes in
and yet
what is confinement
especially when it comes to mental diaspora
we have to remember that nature is flawed, and yet
sitting in our skulls
skeletons melting into growth
I want a body that feels like a hollowed tree
finally feeling full.
Poem III – Third Column
that is where Kist comes in
definitions can be gloriously multifaceted
what are limiting structures?
they are things to push against, to remold, but
worth remembering
the past has to lie somewhere
it is important to note that Kist also means a coffin
and my soul will sit in it,
finally feeling full.
Poem IV – All The Way Across
that is where Kist comes in
a box,
and yet
definitions can be gloriously multifaceted
what is a box
what is confinement
what are limiting structures?
except a place for things to rot
especially when it comes to mental diaspora
they are things to push against, to remold, but
there is a reason we press flowers and keep them
we have to remember that nature is flawed, and yet
worth remembering
locked away in chests and drawers
sitting in our skulls
the past has to lie somewhere
in caskets, perhaps
skeletons melting into growth
it is important to note that Kist also means a coffin
made of stone or a hollowed tree
I want a body that feels like a hollowed tree
and my soul will sit in it,
finally feeling full.
My Favorites
I have said it once, I will say it again – Ollie Schminkey’s “My Father” is my favorite contrapuntal. But once I’m done screaming that from the rooftops, let’s take a look at my top five masterful cleave poems.
- My Father by Ollie Schminkey
- Moana Means Home: A Contrapuntal by Terisa Siagatonu
- Orpheus is My Boyfriend by Patrick Roche
- Aubade Ending with the Death of a Mosquito by Tarfia Faizullah
- Notes on My Present: A Contrapuntal by Natalie Scenters-Zapico
Have a contrapuntal to share? Want to chat about how to make your contrapuntal a success? I am always here to chat! Reach out through my contact page and say hello!
Alex Aimee Kist 