Pre-camp Writing Challenge #3 Write an Acrostic Poem Using Your Name

An acrostic poem is a poem in which the first letter (or syllable or word) of each line or paragraph spells out a word, message, or name. These are generally pretty quick and easy to write, but I bet you can create something uniquely compelling. Introduce yourself to your campmates by writing an acrostic poem about yourself using your name. It can be your full name or just your first name or nickname. You may write a sentence or phrase for each line or just one word. Write or type it out on a single sheet of paper and bring it to camp with you. Feel free to add an illustration or doodle to your page if you feel compelled to do so. The goal is to write something! Don't get too hung up on perfection.

See the examples below for inspiration.

For this challenge campers will vote on

1. Most descriptive

2. Most complex

3. Most informative

Here is an example of a quick and simple acrostic poem I wrote about my dog Maple

MAPLE

My dear,

Are you

Preparing again to

Loudly bark at

Everyone?!

Here is an even quicker, simpler, example using just one word for each letter about one of my favorite poets

Langston

Lush

Artistry,

Gorgeous

Symbolism,

True,

Original,

Noble

And here is a complex and compelling acrostic poem written by Lewis Carroll (written for Alice Pleasance Liddell, the inspiration for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)

A Boat Beneath a Sunny Sky

BY LEWIS CARROLL

A boat beneath a sunny sky,

Lingering onward dreamily

In an evening of July —

Children three that nestle near,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Pleased a simple tale to hear —

Long has paled that sunny sky:

Echoes fade and memories die:

Autumn frosts have slain July.

Still she haunts me, phantomwise,

Alice moving under skies

Never seen by waking eyes.

Children yet, the tale to hear,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Lovingly shall nestle near.

In a Wonderland they lie,

Dreaming as the days go by,

Dreaming as the summers die:

Ever drifting down the stream —

Lingering in the golden gleam —

Life, what is it but a dream?

Good luck and have fun!