Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The stars went out and so did the moon

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.

19 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:31 AM

    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.

    Saw your comment on Poets United. I rejoice for you, and you know what I'm talking about. Bless you. Amy

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  2. 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!
    ~Brenda
    P.S. You've done Mr. Hughes proud.

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  3. 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.

    Brenda, 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

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  4. 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~

    The ending did it for me, I pictured you alone, cold and bleak with the echo of your heartache. Well Done~

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  5. 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.

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  6. Richard, this is a wonderful cento. Beautifully woven lines. I thought I commented here yesterday, I am glad I returned.

    Pamela

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  7. 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.

    Richard

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  8. Richard,
    You 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

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  9. 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!

    If 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/

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  10. "Song is a strong thing" love this line. A brilliant piece of poetic art

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  11. You 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.

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  12. Andy, thanks. I just borrowed some great lines from Langston Hughes.

    Mary, thank you. This was difficult, but I agree with you, it was a worthwhile experience that I'm sure I'll repeat.

    Richard

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  13. Well-written Richard. I am enjoying reading your word.

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  14. the last two lines
    are superb.

    keep it up.

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  15. the last two lines
    are superb.

    keep it up.

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  16. the last two lines
    are superb.

    keep it up.

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  17. 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.

    Peggy, thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying my poems.

    Jingle, thanks.

    Richard

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  18. love your poetry talent here,

    inviting you to join Poets Rally by submitting a poem, any poem is welcome.

    hope to see you in.
    keep entertaining!
    You Rock!

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  19. 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.

    Richard

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