And, for our very last day of the 30 poems in 30 days challenge, we are asked to write a special poetic form called the cento. As Maureen explains, “This is a poem that is made up of lines taken from other poems.” So, that’s what I did! Below is my version of a cento with lines from Elizabeth Barret Browning, Christina Rossetti, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, & Emily Dickinson. I selected all women poets writing about love.
I loved you first
First time he kissed me, he but only kissed
The fingers of this hand wherewith I write.
I loved you first: but afterwards your love
Outsoaring mine, sang such a loftier song.
I love your lips when they’re wet with wine
And red with a wild desire;
Somewhere or other there must surely be
The face not seen, the voice not heard.
Wild nights – Wild nights!
Were I with thee.
Poet Voice 