It was a long time ago
My dream of our weary city
Subdued and time-lost
Any place is dreary
And your soul
Will be lost
The stars went out and so did the moon
Made long ago
I carried my sorrow songs
Song is a strong thing
Something strong to put my hands on
I am the American heartbreak
Singing sorrow songs on the banks of a mighty river
* * * * *
This is a cento poem made up of lines from various Langston Hughes poems that I found in his Selected Poems collection. This poem was written in response to the directed cento poem prompt at We Write Poems.
Richard, this is one of the best centos I've seen this week. Partly, it's your choice of one of my favorite poets, Langston Hughes. But that line haunts me: "I am the American heartbreak." Somehow, it reminds me of downtown Buffalo, NY, once a bustling port on the Erie Canal, and now, bereft of industry, its Main Street dead after 5 pm.
ReplyDeleteSaw your comment on Poets United. I rejoice for you, and you know what I'm talking about. Bless you. Amy
Richard, you're rocking the cento form! Wow. Another of your pieces caught my eye, first, then I came to this one, and didn't know it was this week's cento until I completed my read. This flows like a natural piece. Very well constructed and a big Bravo!
ReplyDelete~Brenda
P.S. You've done Mr. Hughes proud.
Amy, thank you. I felt very uncertain about this cento poem, which I've never tried before. But I'm glad it evoked something for you about Buffalo; even if it's sad. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, thank you for your kind words. I wasn't sure about this one, but it's kind of hard to go wrong with Langston Hughes; his poetry is amazing. I hope he'd be pleased.
Richard
Richard, this has such a haunted quality. Funny, I mailed art work yesterday. My grandparents in a star shaped form. I also wrote about them and this is the 3rd reference to star, this morning. A good sign~
ReplyDeleteThe ending did it for me, I pictured you alone, cold and bleak with the echo of your heartache. Well Done~
I really like this one Richard. Your blog is a wonderful discovery for me. I will return! A number of your poems seem to have that haunted quality, the awareness of both sides of life ever present. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRichard, this is a wonderful cento. Beautifully woven lines. I thought I commented here yesterday, I am glad I returned.
ReplyDeletePamela
Amy, thanks. I hope that Mr. Hughes would appreciate my reworking of his lines; he is one of my favorite poets too. I'm glad it was evocative for you. As always, thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments.
ReplyDeleteRichard
Richard,
ReplyDeleteYou did Mr. Hughes proud. His words, reworked by your masterful hand, take on newly deep meaning. This flows so beautifully and forces consideration. What can be better than that. I really do enjoy your work.
KIM
I think this is the best poem I've come across today, I especially love the line about the stars and moon going out...wow!
ReplyDeleteIf you would be so obliged, I'd love to have you as a tuesday 'spotlight poet' one week. You can see more info in the 'about' section of the blog:
http://the-writers-cafe.blogspot.com/
"Song is a strong thing" love this line. A brilliant piece of poetic art
ReplyDeleteYou wrote this Cento well, Richard. I really enjoyed the experience of Cento writing as well. I think it expands our horizons when we play with someone else's words and make them our own.
ReplyDeleteAndy, thanks. I just borrowed some great lines from Langston Hughes.
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you. This was difficult, but I agree with you, it was a worthwhile experience that I'm sure I'll repeat.
Richard
Well-written Richard. I am enjoying reading your word.
ReplyDeletethe last two lines
ReplyDeleteare superb.
keep it up.
the last two lines
ReplyDeleteare superb.
keep it up.
the last two lines
ReplyDeleteare superb.
keep it up.
Stacy, your comment ended up as spam and I didn't see it for a couple of days. I would be interested in being a Wednesday spotlight poet, but you might want to look at more of my work; this poem is a cento and I used lines from Langston Hughes.
ReplyDeletePeggy, thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying my poems.
Jingle, thanks.
Richard
love your poetry talent here,
ReplyDeleteinviting you to join Poets Rally by submitting a poem, any poem is welcome.
hope to see you in.
keep entertaining!
You Rock!
Promising Poets Parking Lot, thanks for stopping by. It's a bit crazy for me now, with the end of the school year just days away, so I don't think I have the time to join the Poets Rally this week. Maybe I'll give it a shot next week. Thanks again for the invite.
ReplyDeleteRichard