“Contrapuntal” poems are a form that I’ve become obsessed with lately for too many reasons and here I round-up a couple for you (you may have already caught this one I shared). But first! A definition:
Contrapuntal poetry involves interweaving or combining two or more poems to create a new poem. Contrapuntal poetry comprises two or more poems that are distinct in tone and subject matter but are, in some way, in conversation with each other. The term “contrapuntal poem” gets its name from contrapuntal music, which features more than one melody playing simultaneously.
Consider how some of the most delightful sounding musical numbers interlace individual lines of sound over one another to create the most gripping melodic resonance — the Contra greater than its points. The contrapuntal music examples I always give are all big musical chorus numbers, like Les Miserables’ One Day More, Encanto’s We Don’t Talk About Bruno, and that old classic Peter and the Fox instrumental.
I LOVE the way the Contrapuntal form parallels the cacophony of modernity— formed between the tension of so many voices. A form that let’s me build the shape of a poem the way the world worms. Also, who doesn’t love a well-thought out puzzle? Engineered from the heart.
Anyway, here are a couple Contrapuntal poem examples I enjoy linked for you below. I also have a couple notes included and a valentine contrapuntal I tried at for you at the end. Enjoy!
Layli Long Soldier, “Obligations 2”
Natalie Scenters-Zapico, “Notes on My Present: A Contrapuntal”
LOVE a political poem. This offering is a great example of a contrapuntal in conversation with an incredibly specific POV...
Tarfia Faizullah, “Aubade Ending with the Death of a Mosquito”
Ugh this one definitely hits for me. Here’s something else I found:
In terms of poetry composition, the Contrapuntal relies on both poems working as distinct entities as well as in conversation with each other. The third poem that emerges is one that results from the movement back and forth between the two poems.
It took a few drafts to realize that this poem was a Contrapuntal, that there were multiple tensions trying to resolve. I wanted to write a poem that could contain the individual emotions I felt that night. “Aubade Ending with the Death of a Mosquito” was written in the intersection of many borders: in a waiting room poised in the present moment, waiting to dive back into the history of the past so that I could write what I learned into the future. — Explainer from the poet Tarfia Faizullah
Terisa Siagatonu, “Moana Means Home: A Contrapuntal”
Searing and beautiful. One of my absolute favorite poems to re-read. Just brilliant.
Rita Dove, '“Mirror”
Oliver Schminkey, “My Father”
Adam Powers, “A Solar Knight: A Contrapuntal Lyric Tale”
More Contrapuntal Notes:
Tyehimba Jess is known for combining the Contrapuntal form with sonnets.
This “Formosan Elegy” by Marilyn Chin is incredible and intense.
BALLAD OF YOUR SECRET VALENTINE
I keep how I love you like a holy shrine Hidden and divine, our climate of eden I love you like it’s a secret valentine From withering winter to early spring Shhhh leaves say, it's CLASSIFIED A secret solar power in the canopy Filed under TOP SECRET valentine Like the mystery of love’s alchemy Mixing signals, please show me it's requited Giving gifts, our earth exchanged How your spark breezes onto my heart ignites it Love drives a different change TO: YOU — be mine My blessed excess FROM: YOUR SECRET VALENTINE XOXO
— Adam Powers