Viewpoints

By luigi_pagano

Thu, 07 Nov 2013

8647 reads

24 comments

A 3-way equivoque. By reading A and B together in sequence you get one meaning, while columns A and B read as two separate poems will produce two different meanings.

A B

twenty years, you say,
it’s a life sentence
it is about time
we stopped the pretence
                                              our friends point out
                                                that our relationship
                                                has got that certain spark
                                                that gives life a fillip
as it must be evident
that we hate each other
and every day you resemble
your loathsome mother
                                                an example to anyone
                                                who lives in a dream world
                                                who’s never spoken
                  an offensive word
spewing venom
at the least provocation
and who seems destined
to hell and damnation
                                                a place described
                                                as the ideal location
                                                the best there is
                                                without equivocation

Comments

Took me a few reads but then

Permalink Submitted by scratch on Thu, 2013-11-07 19:06

Took me a few reads but then it clicked. Well deserved pick Luigi.

Peter, perhaps it was my

Permalink Submitted by luigi_pagano on Fri, 2013-11-08 09:36

Peter, perhaps it was my clumsy definition that confused you. Here is a much better one from the Compact Oxford Dictionary:
In its most basic form it is three poems:

two parallel ‘vertical’ poems (left and right)
a third ‘horizontal’ poem being the fusion of the vertical poems read together.

I did a much simpler example of this form in 2008 with my poem Nothing But The Truth - http://www.abctales.com/story/luigipagano/nothing-truth - which may further explain the possibilities of such a genre.

I like this style of poem. It

Permalink Submitted by Ed Crane on Thu, 2013-11-07 19:58

I like this style of poem. It can be difficult to do, but it's quite rewarding. I know this format as a cleave poem. Cleaves are difficult to format on on-line pages since they are normally in parallel blocks. I think the way you have set this out is a very good way of getting around the problem and it come across very well.

Thanks

Hi Ed. You are so right in

Permalink Submitted by luigi_pagano on Fri, 2013-11-08 09:55

Hi Ed. You are so right in saying that this type of poem is difficult to do. I came across this form about six years ago in a word game book where I learnt that the equivoque had its origin, probably in France, in the 14th century. I was ignorant of the fact that cleave poem is an alternative name and I am grateful to you for letting me know. I have previously experimented with this form but, as I said to Peter, my attempt was more straightforward.

Thanks for your feedback,

Luigi

Agreed.

Permalink Submitted by scratch on Thu, 2013-11-07 20:03

Agreed.

Luigi - well done. Equivogue

Permalink Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on Fri, 2013-11-08 07:04

Luigi - well done. Equivogue rocks!!. the name is new to me and I can think of one previous example only.

The equivogue that I have at home is a song by Leon Rosselson entitled Across the Hills. It is a split vision. Voice 1 sees the nuclear meltdown all around. Voice 2 looks at the same place and sees the bright beauty of Nature. Is voice 1 'seeing things?' Is voice 2 'unseeing?'

Your married example is wonderful. Real for so many I am sure Elsie

Elsie, like Ed, you may know

Permalink Submitted by luigi_pagano on Fri, 2013-11-08 10:13

Elsie, like Ed, you may know the style as a cleave poem. I am not familiar with the Leon Rosselson's song that you mention and I shall have a look at it to see how it expresses the two contrasting voices.

As for the married example, though real for many as you point out, fortunately it doesn't apply to me . I have been married 47 years and often we joke that it sounds like a life sentence and if I had committed a crime I would have been released by now. Hence the inspiration for my opening lines.

Thanks, Luigi

I'm not sure now that my

Permalink Submitted by Ray Schaufeld on Fri, 2013-11-08 23:18

I'm not sure now that my example is pure equivogue and the name cleave poem is also new. I shall try and make one myself Elsie

Cleverly observed. Enjoyed.

Permalink Submitted by Bee on Fri, 2013-11-08 08:49

Cleverly observed.

Enjoyed.

Bee

So glad you did enjoy it, Bee

Permalink Submitted by luigi_pagano on Fri, 2013-11-08 10:14

So glad you did enjoy it, Bee. Much appreciated.

Luigi

I get it!! It's always a good

Permalink Submitted by KateReamer on Fri, 2013-11-08 09:03

I get it!! It's always a good sign when I get it because I don't hold my IQ in much high esteem! ;) Great poem.

Kate

This unusual form of poetry

Permalink Submitted by luigi_pagano on Fri, 2013-11-08 10:24

This unusual form of poetry is not an easy concept to grasp, Kate. The fact that you got it is a clear indication that there is nothing wrong with your IQ. Also the fact that you published three stories, two of which were cherry picked, strongly contradicts your assertion and it is something to be proud of.

I thank you for your nice comment.

Luigi

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