An Acrostic or Name Poem is a poem in which the first letter of each line spells a word, usually using the same words as in the title.
Schematic Example:
L1xxx.
L2xxx.
L3xxx.
L4xxx.
L5xxx.
L6xxx.
L7xxx.
Where L1 through L7, and so forth, would represent the successive letters of the keyword or key phrase. xxx. represents the rest of the letters of the first word of the line and succeeding words.
Example acrostic by Edgar Allen Poe
An Acrostic
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.
Zantippe's talents had enforced so well:
Ah! if that language from thy heart arise,
Breath it less gently forth — and veil thine eyes.
Endymion, recollect, when Luna tried
To cure his love — was cured of all beside —
His follie — pride — and passion — for he died.
You will take notice that each 1st word of the poem combines to spell the word "Elizabeth"
The Acrostic Challenge
In my recent nomination of JPiC to the Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites" I stated the following:
"One section in particular that I'm extremely proud of is our Poetry-Defined sub-forum. JPiC Forum has become a labor of love for me and I am excited about this nomination - as I'm sure you can tell..."
The Challenge is to
write a 19-line acrostic poem. The title of the poem should be
JPiC Forum For Writers. The content of the poem should not be overtly about JPiC Forum, but should be how and why poetry in general is a labor of love for you personally.
Stipulations:- The title JPiC Forum SHOULD NOT be used in your poem, other than the title.
- Derivatives of the word "poetry" must appear at least a total of 4 times within the contents of your acrostic poem. Examples:
- Poets
- Poem
- Poeting
- Poesy
- Poetic etc...
- The following phrases must be used within the writing:
- Purple colour
- Loving quill
- Community endeavor
- Phenomenal champagne
- Emotion sway
This should be an interestingly fun experience to challenge your creativity, spontaneity and wit AND all without being overtly "cheesy"
---- The object of course is to get those creative juices flowing! ALSO JPiC Administrator may quote some of the poems in a future newsletter and/or promotional invitation. So get your creativity on, Enjoy AND Happy posting!
Jacquii.
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ALSO - if you haven't done so thus far and feel the need... We sure would appreciate your nomination for the Writer's Digest "101 Best Web sites" 2007. More information about nominating may be found HERE.
