Cento

When all lines in a poem are extracted from other poems, it is a cento. Although its words come from earlier works, the cento portrays creativity in its unique, sometimes unexpected, recombination process. This form can pay homage to, elaborate on, transform or negate another’s words; which sets the poem in conversation with its predecessors. In its referential and transformative nature, it almost resembles thought (albeit a carefully composed or revised thought process).

Our cento draws lines from the poems we have written about friendship this semester. Its narrative took shape as lines accumulated. On occasion, an unexpected yet fitting combination arose, as is characteristic of this form.