Hallelujah
This triptych poem was written for Read Write Poem prompt #46: Dervishes and Wine Odes. In short, we were to “write about the Divine through an image we don’t usually use”. I’ve always experienced the Divine the most when out in nature, hence this poem….
Now you’re wondering what the heck a triptych poem is. It’s an experiment of mine.
In the art world, triptychs are works of art divided into three sections, or panels, which may be hinged and folded. According to this article at Wikipedia, “the triptych form arises from early Christian art, and was the standard format for altar paintings from the Middle Ages onwards”. Apparently, the triptych form was also used to build altarpieces in churches and cathedrals.
I used the physical art form as an inspiration for my experiment. The triptych poem is divided into three columns, with the columns displayed side by side horizontally in print – like the three panels in a literal triptych.
Now here’s the really cool part – you can read this kind of poem two ways: a) reading each column down in succession until you’ve read all three columns, or b) reading each line across the three columns. A good triptych poem, as I’ve done with this experiment, should be able to be read coherently and be lucid both ways.
I hope other poets try this experiment. This was a lot of fun to compose. Enjoy!
-Nicole
——————————————————————–
| Hallelujah | Hallelujah | Hallelujah |
| the water, it calls me | soft, translucent whispers | in the wind |
| breathing my name | through still, hot sunlight | past the leaves |
| open sky above | a gentle, shining face | above my head |
| I will dance | suspended | in the river | inside the womb | weightless, laughing | below the surface |
| gentle, wordless songs | the wind cries choirs | around my ears |
| caressing my skin | caressing Creation | inside and out |
| before shattering darkness | Innocence lost | before my birth |
| there was only this | found once again | beyond concrete and neon |
| loud, exploding Love | endless, everlasting God | bursting from Paradise |
| Hallelujah | Hallelujah | Hallelujah |
Written 9/26/08
© 2008 Nicole Nicholson. All Rights Reserved.
It is great. First I like how you structured it …
than dance in the womb wordless songs…great image.I’ll come back to it.
Nicole, your poem is beautiful! Your form is wonderful for the theme. Very creative.
its a great structure, and works well in this poem
A ‘diptych’ poem is hard enough to make! This is very creative.
What a great experiment in form. I love “beyond concrete and neon / bursting from paradise.”
Hallelujah! Clever you!!
I read it backwards from the bottom right and if you read it slowly it just about makes sense.
Don’t you just love experiments?
I liked the visual effect it creates in my mind.
locked in the attic
I love religious triptychs, how appropriate. It also reminds me of mad-libs