The Cento is a poem created by stitching the lines of other poems together to form a brand new poem. Each line must come from a different poetic source.
Below you’ll find a short Cento I’ve created and the source for each line of poem.
* * * *
Down at the water’s edge, at the place,
I dream no more but stare at a hole.
I’ve spent the last days, furthermore,
surprised at the earth.
I am alive – I guess.
* * * * *
Line 1 – Elizabeth Bishop » At the Fishhouses
Line 2 – Jean Garrigue » Dialog
Line 3 – James Merrill » Lost in Translation
Line 4 – W.S. Merwin » For the Anniversary of My Death
Line 5 – Emily Dickinson » I am alive – I guess
* * * * *
Do you like learning about different forms of poetry? Take a look at Tanka – 31 Syllable Poems.
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February 18, 2008 at 8:45 am
Poetry - The Triolet « Argot
[...] at Argot, you can learn about other simple poetic forms such as the Cento, Tanka, and [...]
March 24, 2008 at 4:38 pm
god's lacework
[...] the moon and stars are set like jewels upon god’s lacework, flowing ever so softly and eternally. as such, for the sake of eternity, we must be careful in the handling of god’s lacework, it is very old and yet sturdy and has withstood the test of time Thanks for that Clough! Those are beautiful sentiments. Have you heard of cento poetry? It is where lines are taken from poems to create a new ‘patched together’ poem. I thought I also read at some time that it’s where two or more people take turns in adding lines to a poem. I really like this idea. Cento – A Stitched Together Poem « Argot [...]
December 12, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Sandy Soli
One small correction to your interesting page. The cento can be stitched together from the work of a single poet; it does not have to come from multiple sources. Best regards, Sandy
March 3, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Alexwebmaster
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