Cento ~ Hell Comes Unbidden

 Creative Commons ~ Rob Lee


I am very hungry. I am incomplete.
when you come to me unbidden,
I cry.

I hold my honey and I store my bread
in little cabinets of my will,

baubles of stolen kisses,
trinkets of borrowed loves,
trunks of secret words.

I label each latch and lid,
be firm till I return from hell.

I keep my eyes pointed in
where memories lie
hoping the devil days of my hurt
will not turn me insensitive.

I am hungry. I am incomplete.
None can give me any word but wait.
When memories of you come unbidden,
I cry.



A Cento is a poetic form composed of passages
 taken from one or more other authors, but arranged in a new structure or order.
This Cento was created from Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem
And Maya Angelou’s poem “When You Come”

Comments

Semaphore said…
Gwendolyn Brooks and Maya Angelou - that's an inspired combination, and interwoven subtly and skilfully. I especially like echo in the way the cento opens and closes. Wonderful work.
jane hewey said…
this is an incredibly fun read... I can identify. I enjoy the playfulness of your baubles stanza. Hungry and cry. these pair nicely with laundry. nicely done.
Claudia said…
the being hungry and incomplete and no one can give any words is where the heart of this poem lies for me...brooks and angelou..a cool combo...
Sreeja said…
Such a depth you created from random lines.....Great!
Daydreamertoo said…
Isn't Maya Angelou an inspiration. This has a sadness to it and yet the final lines, leaves the reader with hope too. A lovely weave of new words from these authors Susie.
Brian Miller said…
first...two great choice to pic from...ugh you got a great depth of feeling in this as well for a patchwork piece....hungry and incomplete is a feeling i think many will relate to.....felt....
kaykuala said…
It's an ideal blend cleverly weaved among 3 inputs. A smooth flow is most evident, Susie!!

Hank
Scarlet said…
Lovely weaving of both authors ~ Your repeating the last lines are haunting and emotional as well ~
Sue Judd said…
Ooh, I like this, especially the last stanza, a skilfully weave.
You've woven the two poems into one seamless piece. Perfect! And such depth, too.
Tashtoo said…
Another goosebump moment...you've blended the two seamlessly to create a haunting, longing filled write...and the image you've selected...perfect...wishing you a safe and hasty return! ;)
Unknown said…
Potent and haunting!
Mary said…
Susie, I loved how you arranged your chosen lines, giving them new meaning...a poem filled with deep sadness. My favorite lline is:
"baubles of stolen kisses, trinkets of borrowed loves, trunks of secret words."
Sherry Blue Sky said…
A wonderful weaving of words. Love the way the poem circles back to its beginning at the end.
S.E.Ingraham said…
Ah - such sweet inspirations you picked for your cento and it paid off big time, this is so lovely ... (I am a bit star-struck at present as Angelou is coming here to perform in November and poets have a chance to win tickets to see her and a back-stage prize by writing a poem about survival - can you imagine?)Again, your cento is wonderful ...

http://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2012/09/accept-shadows-centon.html
Archna Sharma said…
Beautiful and delicate piece, Susie. Very heartfelt moment when sweet things are stored in cabinets of will. Love the way you've weaved these pieces, wonderful choices.
Beachanny said…
Fine exploration of emotion where what one gets may not be what one wants; the images concrete and intense. Well done.