Chetta Achara Biography

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.

And then there's Cento

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

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Dietrich Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 1:28 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.
La France Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 9:25 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
La France Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 7:53 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
Manassian Avatar
August 14, 2025 at 3:52 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. :)
La France Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 11:17 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
Achara Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 10:43 AM
I agree.
Lawless Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 6:32 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
Cornish Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 7:52 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.
Achara Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 10:52 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."
Nicole Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 9:32 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
Nicole Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Where is the poem/poems in question that have been plagiarized ? ~ Brandy
Nicole Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 9:18 AM
I haven't noticed anything either, Chetta. That's why I was asking. I appreciate your reply.
Achara Avatar
August 13, 2025 at 6:37 AM
I do not know. I haven't noticed. Other poets have been talking about it.
Kitchin Avatar
August 12, 2025 at 6:43 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.
Achara Avatar
August 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
True.
Nicole Avatar
August 12, 2025 at 6:38 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
Allison Avatar
August 12, 2025 at 4:42 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
Etgen-Baker Avatar
August 12, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Well, that's fascinating information and food for thought. Thanks for sharing.

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