A poem, a word puzzle, or a composition written with a hidden message spelled out using certain letters to form a word or several words is an acrostic (Oxford Languages). As with crossword puzzles, phrases and words can be spelled out in a straight line across, diagonally, or vertically. But a message concealed in lines of poetry is usually noted in the first letter of each line and can be hidden using letters inside the poem.
History of Acrostic
Ancient historical findings indicate acrostic poetry was most notable from 3rd through 1st centuries BC among Greeks during the Alexandrine period and with Latin Roman playwright and poets Plautus (254-184 BC) and Ennius (239-169 BC).(i,ii) Although access to ancient acrostic poetry seems limited, in the German and Italian Renaissance period, 14th through 17th centuries, monks and poets also popularized the acrostic form in poetry. But, in more recent history, Edgar Allan Poe wrote an acrostic poem that vertically listed letters indicating the name Elizabeth (1831 or 1834).(iii) His wife Virginia also wrote an acrostic poem using vertical letters to spell the word Poe (1846).(iv) While Lewis Carroll’s acrostic poem spelled out Alice Pleasance Liddell, which was the inspiration for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865).(v)
An appreciation for poetry with hidden messages can heighten the awareness of God’s concealed messages in many poetic style verses in the Bible. God’s hidden messages are written in various chapters and verses informing who He is, what He has promised, and what He requires of those who believe and seek Him wholeheartedly.
“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2).
Therefore, a contribution to acrostic poetry and acknowledgement of Jesus Christ Our Savior is my poem titled “Right Things” from A Prayer of Hope.
Photo from Pexel.com
RIGHT THINGS
Justly establishing a fair environment.
Encouraging the spirit to soar with possibilities.
Sincerely acknowledging and honoring God’s Way.
Uniting in one accord to esteem one another.
Sharing good things God has placed in each other.
Caring for those in your sphere of existence.
Helping them without hesitation or resentment.
Regarding highly what God has given.
Instructing in ways that build righteous characteristics.
Succeeding victoriously when all are at peace and rest.
Treading graciously in your success.
Overcoming obstacles to fulfill good dreams.
Understanding what God’s Word actually means.
Rejoicing in knowing what He did for us.
Saving the lost!
Avenging those that have caused them harm.
Valiantly triumphing over the enemies’ schemes.
Igniting the fire to burn off the dross.
Overriding wickedness and its offences.
Reversing the course and upholding righteousness.
- Britannica. T Editors of Encyclopedia. Quintus Ennius. Encyclopedia Britannica. February 2019. Accessed August 14, 2023, from https//www.britannica.com/biography/Ennius.
- Britannica. T Editors of Encyclopedia. Plautus. Encyclopedia Britannica. November 2019. Accessed August 14, 2023, from https//www.britannica.com/biography/Plautus.
- Tearle, Oliver Ph.D. Ten of the Best Examples of Acrostic Poems Everyone Should Read. Interesting Literature. Loughborough University Press. February 2023. Accessed August 12, 2023, from https://interestingliterature.com.cdn.ampproject.org.
- Onion, Rebecca. Virginia Poe’s Sad Acrostic Valentine for Edgar Allan. Slate. February 2014. Accessed August 12, 2023, from https://slate.com/human-interest/2014/02/virginia-poe-edgar-allan-poe-s-wife-s-acrostic-valentine.html.
- Gupta, SudipDas. Acrostic by Lewis Carroll. Poem Analysis. n.d. Accessed August 12, 2023, from https://poemanalysis.com/lewis-carroll/acrostic/
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