Cento is a form where you cut lines and reassemble to a new whole. Scribal Terror explains more.
Here I’ve taken nursery rhymes and cobbled them to a different plot. Only punctuation is shifted, every line is a direct lift, including the title.
Take your wings and fly away
When the boys came out to play
He began to compliment, and I began to grin
On a cold and frosty morning.
One o’clock, two o’clock, three and away…
“I am a don lock.” “I am a don key.”
Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T,
Under the haystack, fast “asleep”!
(And why may not I love Johnny?)
The Man in the Moon came tumbling down
And vowed he would serve them the same the next day.
And Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,
Bonny and blithe, and good and gay.
The rats and the mice they made such a strife.
Some gave them plum-cake, and sent them out of town.
(How will he be married without e’er a wife?)
A raven cried croak! and they all tumbled down.
Higher than a house, higher than a tree.
Master I have, and I am his man.
Hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy.
Dance to your daddy, my bonnie lamb.
I’m not sure if I prefer the ABAB or AABB pattern.
Take your wings and fly away
He began to compliment, and I began to grin
On a cold and frosty morning.
One o’clock, two o’clock, three and away,
And vowed he would serve them the same the next day.
The Man in the Moon came tumbling down
And Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,
Bonny and blithe, and good and gay
When the boys came out to play.
How will he be married Without e’er a wife?
The rats and the mice they made such a strife.
Some gave them plum-cake, and sent them out of town.
A raven cried croak! and they all tumbled down.
Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T,
Under the haystack, fast “asleep”!
“I am a don lock.” “I am a don key.”
And why may not I love Johnny?
Higher than a house, higher than a tree.
Hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy.
Master I have, and I am his man.
Dance to your daddy, my bonnie lamb.