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You are here: Home / Poems for Teachers / My Two Centos’ Worth

My Two Centos’ Worth

January 16, 2008 By Laura

OK, it’s only one cento, but it feels long! Miss Rumphius challenged us to a modified cento this week, using titles of favorite books. I chose mostly some of my favorite poetry books, from this year and years past. There are a couple I only chose for the title, but mostly these are books I love. What a lively challenge this was! Thanks, Miss Rumphius. I’ve never tried this form before. It’s fun!

Why I’m Crazy

The trouble with poetry
is that it’s not just joyful noise;
it’s where I live–
my thoughts flicker flash
checking in to hotel deep
whirling in the spin of things

And I veer between faith and doubt
as something new begins–
a ten-second rainshower waters seeds that were
once upon ice
but now warm as we swing around the sun

I wish I could write simple poems in black and white
shape a rhyme in geometric perfection
but I’m tap-dancing on the roof instead
wondering what is goodbye?
do rabbits have Christmas?
what voices could we hear from a medieval village?
which would be worse: math curse or science verse?
are alphathoughts the leaders of the alphabet pack?

so this is just to say that
technically, it’s not my fault I’m insane
I’m busy reaching for sun and
listening for the song of the sparrow

—Laura Purdie Salas, all rights reserved

Here’s the key to the books I’m referring to:

1) The Trouble with Poetry, by Billy Collins
2) Joyful Noise, by Paul Fleischman
3) Where I Live, by Eileen Spinelli
4) Flicker Flash, by Joan Bransfield Graham
5) Hotel Deep, by Kurt Cyrus
6) In the Spin of Things, by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
7) Faith and Doubt, edited by Patrice Vecchione
8) Something New Begins, by Lilian Moore
9) Ten-Second Rainshower, edited by Sandford Lyne
10) Once Upon Ice, edited by Jane Yolen
11) Swing Around the Sun, by Barbara Juster Esbensen
12) Poems in Black and White, by Kate Miller
13) Shape Me a Rhyme, by Jane Yolen
14) Tap-Dancing on the Roof, by Linda Sue Park
15) What Is Goodbye, by Nikki Grimes
16) Do Rabbits Have Christmas, by Aileen Fisher
17) Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village, by Laura Amy Schlitz
18) Science Verse, by Jon Scieszka
19) Alphathoughts, by Lee Bennett Hopkins
20) This Is Just to Say, by Joyce Sidman
21) Technically, It’s Not My Fault, by John Grandits
22) Reaching for Sun, by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
23) Song of the Sparrow, by Lisa Sandell

Tagged With: centos, Laura's poems

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« Poetry Friday: A William Carlos Williams Poem
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JANUARY NEWS

I loved the holidays! And I'm so glad they're over. A quiet, snowy January is just what I need. This month, I'm working on two board book manuscripts, and I'm making materials to go with my 3 spring 2023 books.

I'm also busy prepping for upcoming author visits and setting my goals and priorities for 2023. Wishing you a lovely start to your own new year!

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