The Return (A Hopkins Cento)

For my return to blogging I decided to post my first attempt at writing a cento. For those who don't know, a cento is a poem made entirely of lines from other poems. The name comes from the Latin word meaning a cloak made out of patches! It differs from found poetry in that every line is taken from another poem, instead of just any borrowed material.

Virgilian centos were popular in the Middle Ages, when poets would use lines from Virgil to write about religious themes. Here is my attempt at one using lines taken from those of my favorite poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins, entitled "The Return":

I will appear, looking such charity,
It will flame out like shining from shook foil.
Yes I can tell such a key, I do know such a place,
Where springs not fail.
Or ancient mounds that cover bones
Spring, that but now were shut
To the stars, lovely-asunder.

I did say yes
With the sea-romp over the wreck,
And find the uncreated light.
And I have asked to be
Lower than death and the dark,
An ark for the listener, for the lingerer,
For him who ever thought with love of me.

* * * * *

Okay, here is my second attempt, finished today! It's a G.K. Chesterton canto (I know, I couldn't resist! :)

Nazareth

A child sits in a sunny place
Pure as white lilies in a watery space
Laughing everlastingly
The joy without a cause
Holding his head up for a flag of all the free
Between us and the sea

Though earth be filled with waters dark
Hark! Laughter like a lion wakes!
For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen
Surely, friends, I might have guessed
God made the sun to crown his head
The Christ-child stood at Mary's knee
Aflame with faith, and free

* * * * *

That's all for now. Dylan Thomas shall be next!