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Chetta Achara

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Chetta is the nom de plume of Deborah Guenther Beachboard a poet writing since 1992. Her poetry has been published in Modern Haiku, Sijo West, Amaze: The Cinquain Journal, Short Stuff, Twilight Ending and numerous other online and in print journals.

After taking a 10 year hiatus from writing (for reasons not interesting enough to share) Chetta returned to writing, most recently having poetry published in Periwinkle Pelican, Puddick, Stygian Press, Snoozine, and Sweet Smell.

Chetta makes her home in the Adna Valley in southwest Washington in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

LIFE IS SHORT

It's not
as if you have
a choice in the matter,
but if you leave a poem
it's enough.

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And then there's Cento

Blog Posted by Chetta Achara: 8/12/2025 1:47:00 PM

In the past few days "plagerism" has discussed both here in the PS blogs and in poems posted.

I agree plagarism is a pursuit not worthy of poets, however I did find this poetry form intriguing. It could be inferred as plagerism, why is it not?

The Cento form as described in PoutrySoup's Types of Poems:

Form:
Cento is a poetic form composed entirely of lines from other poems. Cento has evolved to include a patchwork poem composed of quotes or lines from other authors. The poet selects lines or passages from various sources and rearranges them to create a new and original work. The resulting cento poem often takes on a new meaning or conveys a different message from the sources. This form allows poets to engage in a unique form of intertextuality, drawing on poetry's rich tradition to create something fresh and innovative.

Examples:
"Cento Nuptialis," Decimus Magnus Ausonius
“Cento Between the Ending and the End,” Cameron Awkward-Rich
“She-Poets Cento,” Kate Daniels
“CENTO,” Sarah Gambito
Wolf Centos, Simone Muench
“Cento for the Night I Said, ‘I Love You,’” Nicole Sealey

Cento and Ethical Standards:
Since cento poems rely on using lines or passages from various sources, it's crucial for poets to be well-versed in copyright laws and permissions when creating their work. Additionally, it is essential to identify the original works of the individual lines.

I will add that most of the example poems can be found at The Poetry Foundation.

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Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 8/14/2025 1:28:00 PM

I prefer writing our own poems, but if this form were used to pay tribute to ONE poet, dead or alive, I think that is a nice way to honor them. I would not want to mess around with mixing in lines from different poets and having to point out who all the other poets were. Sponsors have created contests in which WE would use our OWN lines or even titles to form a new poem. One of my best poems ever is completely composed of titles of poems of mine. I did it I think without even using "filler" words. I simply made all the titles work together to form the poem. That was fun for me. Other sponsors had us use titles of favorite singer's songs. I have some like that too. For me, this is ok.

Constance
La France

Date: 8/13/2025 9:25:00 AM

Chetta, I do not think much of that form, I feel it should be deleted from the site. Having said that, if the writer of Cento contacts each poet whose line they use for permission, and it is given (but why would any self-respecting poet allow that) and give them credit for it perhaps below the poem, I suppose it would be sort of okay, but how many would do that, not many I think. Gosh, just create your own lines daaaa ! Why even use another poets lines, why ? I don't get it. Constance

Constance La France
Date: 8/14/2025 7:53:00 AM

Thank you for the clarification ladies. I love you both. Congrats on your awesome win Suzette, and it was no easy poem to arrange in a poetic way. Constance

Eileen Manassian
Date: 8/14/2025 3:52:00 AM

Personally, I'm honoured that a poet of Suzette's caliber would find my poem titles interesting enough to make into a poem. Mentioning that they are my poem titles gives me credit, and the copyright gives her credit because she has used her creativity to string them together. Thank you, Constance, for your dedication to authenticity, which I admire. This is a type of poem, and some like the challenge of meeting its requirements. Big hugs to all from Cyprus. :)

Suzette Richards
Date: 8/13/2025 11:44:00 PM

Constance, I claim copyright as I wrote the cento, using over 110 titles VERBATIM (the note at the top of the poem has now been updated to reflect this fact) of Eileen's poems (with her permission) to pen it. It is no mean feat. You are splitting hairs. If I had to list the poem titles, it would defeat the purpose, but I have now included the list to satisfy your curiosity. At the time , it won 1st place in Richard Lamoureux contest.

Constance La France
Date: 8/13/2025 11:17:00 PM

Suzette, in your Cento. you are my muse, is it only titles of Eileens poems ? Wish they were defined more. I noticed you claim the copyright at the bottom., though you did not write them, just rearranged them to fit your poem intention I personally do not like using even others titles, the concept of a tribute is great but I know an excellent poet like you could write beautiful lines to honor Eileen,. Her titles could be used in a way of quotes throughout the poem with credit after each, Constance

Suzette Richards
Date: 8/13/2025 10:12:00 PM

I have reposted one of my old cento. It does not have to be the work of a current poet - as I did. Check it out - it can be a way of honouring a poet, as mine did: https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/you_are_my_muse_1752122

Chetta Achara
Date: 8/13/2025 10:43:00 AM

I agree.

John
Lawless

Date: 8/13/2025 6:32:00 AM

WHAT THE HECK IS "INTERTEXTUALITY"..and does the Algorithm know about it.....I stole an apple, I ate it, then told the owner of the apple tree how good it was

Craig Cornish
Date: 8/13/2025 7:52:00 PM

LOL - well, hopefully the foreplay leads to something worthwhile! Chetta, I do love the creative double talk...in the end, everything about writing is an interesting learning experience.

Chetta Achara
Date: 8/13/2025 10:52:00 AM

For what it's worth (because it's a new term for me) Merriam-Webster says intertextuality is "the complex interrelationship between a text and other texts taken as basic to the creation or interpretation of the text."

Brandy Nicole
Date: 8/13/2025 9:32:00 AM

Smiling at you, John. You mention an apple and eating it. Sooo, I'm inspired to write a poem about it. Instead of saying I stole an apple, I mention I baked it and gave the apple pie I made to a friend. Is that called plagiarism ? Or being inspired by someone ? If I don't mention you inspired me, will I be stealing your thoughts ? So many questions . . . Help me out

Brandy
Nicole

Date: 8/13/2025 5:23:00 AM

Where is the poem/poems in question that have been plagiarized ? ~ Brandy

Brandy Nicole
Date: 8/13/2025 9:18:00 AM

I haven't noticed anything either, Chetta. That's why I was asking. I appreciate your reply.

Chetta Achara
Date: 8/13/2025 6:37:00 AM

I do not know. I haven't noticed. Other poets have been talking about it.

Suzette
Richards

Date: 8/13/2025 12:44:00 AM

Good question, Chetta. Found poetry and erasure poetry are exempt from plagiarism (you don't have to quote the source) due to its construct. But like Tania says: The source needs to be appended, otherwise it is plagiarism. An interesting titbit: It is a criminal offence to plagiarize people’s work (even your own, i.e. copying passages from previously published work without due reference to it)—it is governed by a variety of copyright laws worldwide. The notion that non-commercial use exempts one from plagiarism is a persistent myth. Hence it being specified in my designed form, Phoenix sixain.

Suzette Richards
Date: 8/13/2025 2:29:00 AM

NB My article mentioned below is not my personal views, but a well researched document with external links to LEGAL ESSAYS that carry weight - more than mere opinions on the subject. Seeing as this is an amateur site, does not translate that we are exempt from laws governing international interaction with literature.

Jan Allison
Date: 8/13/2025 1:28:00 AM

Thanks for writing that second comment Su! for those who doubt the recent plagiarism was real the poems were 'verbatim' which means 'word for word' and another poem just had the word 'the' removed. hugs jan x

Suzette Richards
Date: 8/13/2025 1:18:00 AM

BTW There seems to be a misconception (by some) that by changing a word or two of another's work, is not plagiarism. It is hugely untrue! See my updated article, with external links (if you are interested):Plagiarism versus Being Inspired By | PoetrySoup.com

Tania
Kitchin

Date: 8/12/2025 6:43:00 PM

Chetta, an interesting blog and form. I think the difference is that it is noted that the person using this form needs to note and identify the original works of the lines due to copyright laws. Too bad not all follow these guidelines.

Chetta Achara
Date: 8/12/2025 7:31:00 PM

True.

Brandy
Nicole

Date: 8/12/2025 6:38:00 PM

Dear Chetta, so thankful that you pointed this out and understand the definition of plagiarism. Inspiration comes from many sources. Until I find a poem matching *word for word* throughout. I shall continue to see Poetry Soup as it is, a place to share poetry with others. This place will never be perfect, free from disagreements, AI and so on. Expecting a place filled with no hip-ups at all times, well, that's not reality. ~ Brandy

Tom Woody
Date: 8/12/2025 6:48:00 PM

So true Brandy. Some are obsessed with plagiarism and AI and are forever posting their personal views on the matter via their poems. As for me, I'm of the opinion PS is just fine and I'll be sleeping well tonight

Jan
Allison

Date: 8/12/2025 4:42:00 PM

gee Chetta, we don't need any more opportunities or ideas for folk to post work that isn't their own and then bask in the glory!!!! I thought it was a poetry site and we are supposed to write poems! i recall a POTD was purely lines from JD Vance and admin told me it was a cento form. sad times indeed on soup

Sara
Etgen-Baker

Date: 8/12/2025 3:33:00 PM

Well, that's fascinating information and food for thought. Thanks for sharing.

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And then there's Cento

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