Writing Prompt 19: Opus-Inspired Cento

+ Poem for the EDM fans, an ode to Avicii

Tonight, my thoughts turned to Avicii, a man whose music saw me through some of the best and hardest days of my life, and whose untimely end at just 28 breaks my heart. I started to look at his discography, and today’s prompt was born.

If you’re interested in found poetry, try this Cento-esque prompt and see where you land.

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🧪 The Experiment

Find an artist whose work you love (music, painting, films, whatever). Create a poem using the titles of their work.

✍️ What I Wrote

Tim Bergling

Dear Boy, 
I remember those deep summer Nights 
when we sang our Hymn for the Weekend.
I was Waiting for Love, Without You,
Heart Upon My Sleeve.
Too many times, I decided let’s be Lonely Together,
racing into the wrong thing, thinking I Could Be The One.
We sat together, watching the Sunset. Jesus,
The Days went fast. The Silhouettes
dotting the purple sky. The Sunshine gone.
We’d Fade into Darkness then watch A Sky Full of Stars.
I never questioned My Feelings For You, despite the Divine Sorrow.
I thought it was just Tough Love, Superlove.
You were always Dancing in My Head, jeering “Can’t Catch Me.”
I was Addicted to You. “Never Leave Me,” I begged.
I waited for you to Lay Me Down. So Excited.
I wanted to be Blessed, to find Heaven, 
to Taste the Feeling of you,
to Collide and Lose Myself in Pure Grinding. 
Lazy Lace dropped away. “Touch Me. Don’t Hold Back,”
I whispered. “Let’s Ride Away Before This Night Is Through. 
We Write the Story.”
I wore my Heart Upon My Sleeve.
I was a True Believer, Forever Yours.
Ten More Days. Two Million. Three Million years Even.
Sweet Dreams. They were So Much Better.

But that’s not the Sound of Now.
Somewhere in Stockholm, Liar Liar,
you said, “Hey Brother,” to a Friend of Mine,
showing off your Jailbait. You think it’s Bromance, 
but the Speed of Stories put me Back Where I Belong.
I X You out of a picture.
I want to Break the Floor
when I think about our Last Dance
under the City Lights.
The Street Dancer would Tweet It with the caption “Bom Dia.”
What Would I Change It To?
Broken Arrows?
SOS?

I Talk to Myself.
Shame on Me.
Who’s Gonna Love You now?
Alcoholic. Freak. Trouble.
If All Your Need is Love,
I Hope There’s Someone won’t Run Away,
Fade Away.
You Be Love, I tell myself.
Insomnia. No Peace of Mind.
Feeling Good Ain’t a Thing.
Don’t Wake Me Up.
Hold the Line.
Wait for A Better Day.

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How many song titles did you count?