apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Molly Arden's terrific cento "This Be the Place":

				This Be the Place
  
		And I with thee will choose to live:
		A cellar underneath the house, though not lived in,
		O morning light on dirty windows,
		I'd like to retire there, and do nothing.
 
		Vine-leaves tap at the window.
		Into the rooms flow meadow airs
		About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green
		Down to the puritan marrow of my bones.
  
		The shelves are crowded with perfumes,
		The light that shines comes from thine eyes.
		When icicles hang by the wall,
		And, when we meet at any time again,
 
		The truth shall be thy warrant.
		The house is shut and still.
		The sister was not a mister,
		The garland briefer than a girl's.
 
		Lights laughs the breeze in her castle of sunshine.
		I hear his hand on the latch, and rise from my chair
		And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made.
		"Home," he mocked gently.
 
		-- Molly Arden

Molly gets her choice of four guest posts or one gift certificate for a book of poetry--let us know your preference, Molly. But that's not all! In best design*sponge form, we're increasing the number of categories to include more people: two additional "honorable mention" poems will appear next week. Thanks so much to everyone who sent in Shelter Odes and Bedroom Centos--it's been great seeing what y'all do when you're not discussing other people's bedrooms. (SGH)

Photo: Erica Harris