During his two year tenure, your new Hampshire Poet - Damian Kelly-Basher - will be writing a series of blog posts for us sharing what he has been up to, telling us his poetic plans for the future, and inviting you to get involved in poetry in Hampshire. Read on to find out what's happening in Damian's world!
In this blog, Damian discusses The Acrostic Poem:
The Acrostic is another easy poetry form you can explore in your own writing or use in a
workshop.
The most basic form takes the first letter of each new line and spells out a word, message or the alphabet. There are (always) variations. The Mesostic takes a letter within any word in each line to spell out the word, phrase or message.
Acrostics are ancient forms of writing, over 2000 years old. They appear in Ancient Greek texts,
and in the Bible. Writers used them to disguise a message within another text. So, they have
been used throughout history as coded texts. Acrostics also appear on gravestones, even
lampposts.
Another form is called the alphabet acrostic or ‘abecedarian poem’
Here, the first letter of each line follows the order of the alphabet. It creates a 26-line poem (if
you use the English Alphabet). You can start anywhere in the alphabet.
Because they follow very basic rules (or ‘constraints’), acrostics are an easy, fun writing
exercise if you feel stuck. You can use acrostics writing with children, just getting them to use
their name. The other forms also work as workshop exercises with adults. Acrostics can also
make quick and easy writing activities to involve a general group of different ages, backgrounds
etc. at a community event or festival.
Examples
You can see how poets use/develop these basic forms at the links below.
Acrostic: Canicular Acrostic by Anthony Kerrigan
Abecedarian: A Poem For S by Jessica Greenbaum
For general info see:
Damian Kelly-Basher is Hampshire Poet Laureate 2024-26. The appointment of the Hampshire Poet takes place every two years and is jointly led by Winchester Poetry Festival and Hampshire Cultural Trust. The position of Hampshire Poet provides the opportunity for a Hampshire-based poet to undertake commissions, lead workshops and give readings and talks throughout the county, as well as acting as an advocate for poetry and poets.
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