This poetic form is called a ‘chanson de geste’. When written, it contains a hemistitch down the center (shown in the photo attached to this comment.)
In this piece, the hemistitch is employed as a ridge of silence, a path between conflicts of shadow and light. By reading the half lines vertically, you can experience two separate poems, which, joined, create the whole piece you see in the final poetic lines below.
~~~
Language lassos a known galaxy’s
meaning-full spheres awaiting your call
twirling King Lears’ optioned finales
plot-mashed soliloquies riveting cheers
often quite feared praises for daring
clarity cloaked revealed at last
a measure of love an outcome
impotency traps fit for a king
resisting a truth worn by a queen
its sound unspoken acted in love
A journey to sunlight
through plots we spin
the ropes of which on silent paths
lick and sting encircled in light
new understanding’s warmed and waiting
desirable paths whirled and twirled
chased and lost wound and found
yet never hearten this mind
catch me. rope the prize.
Language lassos a known galaxy’s
meaning-full spheres awaiting your call
twirling King Lears’ optioned finales
plot-mashed soliloquies, riveting cheers
often quite feared, praises for daring
clarity cloaked, revealed at last
a measure of love, an outcome,
impotency traps fit for a king
resisting a truth, worn by a queen
its sound unspoken, acted in love
A journey to sunlight
through plots we spin
the ropes of which, on silent paths
lick and sting, encircled in light
new understanding’s warmed and waiting,
desirable paths, whirled and twirled,
chased and lost wound and found,
yet never hearten this mind
Catch me, rope the prize.
© Lori Fleming, 2014
This Is Me 