An acrostic is a form in which certain letters are arranged in successive lines in order to portray a word. Poets use this form to dedicate their verses to their loved ones. This form is often used to hint at a specific idea that is interestingly tied with the theme of a poem.
Explore some of the acrostic poems and try to guess the word embedded in the lines without our help.
‘A Valentine’ throws a challenge to the readers in the guise of a meticulously formed poem. This poem hints at the name of Edgar Allan Poe’s platonic lover.
For her this rhyme is penned, whose luminous eyes,
Brightly expressive as the twins of Loeda,
Shall find her own sweet name, that, nestling lies
Upon the page, enwrapped from every reader.
‘Acrostic’ by Carroll embeds names and “Holiday House” in its lines, advising a balance of work and play for joy.
Little maidens, when you look
On this little story-book,
Reading with attentive eye
Its enticing history,
Keats’ ‘Acrostic: Georgiana Augusta Keats’ honors his sister-in-law with heartfelt gratitude, immortalizing her name through poetic craft.
Give me your patience, sister, while I frame
Exact in capitals your golden name;
Or sue the fair Apollo and he will
Rouse from his heavy slumber and instill
Poe’s ‘An Acrostic’ critiques Letitia Elizabeth Landon’s ‘Waiting’ poem, advocating love’s vital role, written in acrostic form.
Elizabeth it is in vain you say
"Love not" — thou sayest it in so sweet a way:
In vain those words from thee or L.E.L.
‘Floral Tribute’ by Simon Armitage uses symbolism to relate flowers and the British landscape to Queen Elizabeth’s reign and death in 2022.
Evening will come, however determined the late afternoon,
Limes and oaks in their last green flush, pearled in September mist.
I have conjured a lily to light these hours, a token of thanks,
Zones and auras of soft glare framing the brilliant globes.
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