Definition: Acrostichic is a type of poem in which the speaker repeats several words or lines from a longer poem, often to emphasize certain themes or ideas. It comes from the Latin word "acros," meaning across. Here's a brief description: -

Definition

: Acrostichic poetry usually involves repeating short lines or sentences from a larger work of literature or art. The repetition is intended to be rhythmic and to reinforce the structure of the poem, creating a sense of unity.
Example: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." This line repeats several times in this acrostichic form, emphasizing its purpose. -

Examples

: Here are a few examples of acrostichic poetry: -

"To be or not to be" by Mary Oliver

: The speaker talks about whether it's better to be alive or not. He says he prefers the idea that one might "do what you're meant to do" rather than "do what you think is right," which can be considered a metaphorical acrostichic structure. -

"I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordsworth

: This poem uses acrostichic language to describe the speaker's feelings of loneliness, with repeated lines such as "I wander lonely as a cloud." -

Use

: Acrostichic poetry is often used in poetry collections, novels, or even short stories. It can be used to create a sense of unity and cohesion within the piece. Understanding acrostichic poetry requires an understanding of both the poem's structure and its purpose. The repetition allows for the development of characterizations that are unique to each line, while maintaining the flow and balance of the original work.

acrostichic