Poetry Forms Handbook

Acrostic

The acrostic poem is a very simple form in which the subject is spelled down the left-hand side of the poem. This is a widely known form, and so I won't spend a lot of time explaining it.

The acrostic form lends itself well to using alongside other forms as well. I've written acrostic diamante poetry (as in the previous chapter), as well as acrostic haiku. My favorite acrostic out of my own writings is this one:

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March: Out Like A Lion  (E) An acrostic for a contest #1405788 by IceSkatingSugarCube

March: Out Like a Lion

Morning drizzle.
Afternoon snow.
Release the spring! I scream,
Crazy delusions of
Humid, hot summer days.

Outside I button my coat.
Undershirt and sweater a must.
Too much snow in Idaho.

Lilies in my dreams,
I can almost smell them, touch their petals…
Kites are flying endlessly surrounding children
Everywhere…

And then the rain…the snow… the hail…

Looks like the groundhog was wrong.
I should be wearing a dress, instead
Of wool underwear…
No one should feel this cold.

Another way to spice up the acrostic form is the double acrostic. This is where the same word or phrase is spelled down both the left AND right sides of the poem. This is more complicated, but challenges are fun. For an example of a double acrostic, check out this piece from my portfolio:

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Saturday Night  (E) A double acrostic for a contest #929095 by IceSkatingSugarCube