"Three Antique Kids Blocks" by Paul WolberABC Poems: A Poetry Puzzle Challenge The Society March 20, 2018 Poetry, Poetry Challenge, Poetry Contests, Popular Poetry Archives 113 Comments By Amy Foreman A cold and rainy afternoon recently gave rise to this little idea of a poem-puzzle. I challenged myself to write a poem where each word started with a different letter of the alphabet, in order, from A to Z. I allowed myself up to three extra words not in the alphabetical line-up, and I allowed “X” to stand in for “Ex.” It was a fun little puzzle to try fitting some sense, a theme, a meter, and a rhyme all around the letters of the alphabet. Here, in all their glory, are some ABC nonsense poems: Age vs. Youth Aches, Bursitis, Carpal-tunnel, Deafness, Entropy— Frown-lines, Gout, and Halitosis: It’s Just Kids Like Me Never Open Pills, Quite Rightly Shunning Therapy. Upstart Vocal Weanlings X-ude Youth so Zestfully. Starry Night As Birdsong Ceased, Dark Evening Fell, Genteelly Hovering, Its Jewelled Kiss, Love’s Magic-spell, No Other Promising. Quintillion Radiant Starships Tell Unending Vision-ing While X-tra-luminaries Yell To Zillions star-gazing. Why Is My Fridge Empty? Able Boys Can Definitely Eat Food Glutt’nously. Ham In Juice, Kohlrabi, Lychees, Milk-n-Nuts, Or Peas, Quiche, Ricotta, Stewed Tomatoes, Upside-down-cake, Veal, Watermelon, X-tra Yogurt, Ziti—makes a meal! Now, it’s your turn! Post your ABC nonsense poems below in the comments section. Amy Foreman hails from the southern Arizona desert, where she homesteads with her husband and seven children. She has enjoyed teaching both English and Music at the college level, but is now focused on home-schooling her children, gardening, farming, and writing. Her blog is theoccasionalcaesura.wordpress.com NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Trending now: 113 Responses James A. Tweedie March 20, 2018 Sooooooo silly! Sooooooo much harder than it looks! Soooooooo . . . here goes nothing! Able bodied chef denies Edible fruits give health. Insists Juiced kiwi leaves’ll mesmerize. Neurotic ophthalmologists. Prepares quesadillas, roasted skink, Then uncooked veal with xanthic-yellow zinc. Reply Amy Foreman March 20, 2018 Love it, James! Reply Amy Foreman March 20, 2018 And you didn’t even use “X” for “ex” or throw in any extra words. Well done! James A. Tweedie March 20, 2018 Finding an “x” word that made any sense was quite a challenge, lol! I hope others give it a shot. You are one crazy, clever lady, Amy. Your kids must be getting a great education with you in charge. Reply Amy Foreman March 21, 2018 Haha! I will let them know you said so, James! Reply David Watt March 21, 2018 The puzzle idea is quite clever! Your poems set the bar very high. However, here follows my attempt: A boy could dance, Eye fondest glance, Hold in joyous kiss Love’s mad nuances. Over-pacing Quickstep, Rhumba, Samba, Tango; Until Vigour’s wantonness Expires youthful zoom. Reply Amy Foreman March 21, 2018 Fabulous, David! Love all the dances you fit in there! Reply Joe Tessitore March 21, 2018 Great fun but I got just about nowhere with it; “All babies cry”, “Anybody care”, “Amy bakes cookies”. My hat’s off to all of you! Reply Amy Foreman March 21, 2018 “A bitter, crushing disaster, eh?” Thanks for trying it out, Joe! 😉 Reply Nick March 21, 2018 Query for the Hollow Men Across broken columns, did Eliot find greatness hiding in jeweled, kingly light? Maybe. Not. Or perhaps these questions reach, slowly, toward undulating, violent waves bringing exhausted, yellowed zeitgeists. Reply Amy Foreman March 21, 2018 Wonderful, Nick! Reply Theo March 21, 2018 After bittersweet changes Dreams effortlessly flourish Glory humbles instantly Just kind loving moves nascent obstructions Proving quiet repose Settles tumultuous undulating Vicissitudes Wonderful experiences yearning for Zion Reply Amy Foreman March 21, 2018 The phrase “yearning for Zion” goes far beyond the “nonsense poem,” Theo. Well done! Reply David Paul Behrens March 22, 2018 A to Z A Bible can divulge even far greater heights in justice, knowledge, learning, meaningfulness, neatly opening plentiful questions regarding subtle truths, upon very wide examination, yielding zestfulness. I do not belong to any church, nor exclusively adhere to any specific religion or school of thought. About ten years ago I read the Bible, cover to cover, word for word, in its entirety, just as though I was reading a novel or a biography. I found it to be full of truth, wisdom and philosophy. I recommend to any poet seeking inspiration. For me, it induced the revelation that Jesus Christ is the single most influential and important human being in the history of mankind. As a result, he is my only hero. Speaking of revelations, I think the Book of Revelations is a fantasy and should be dropped from the Bible. It does more harm than good. (Funny how your little poetry puzzle challenge yielded all these thoughts. Thank you, Amy) Reply Amy Foreman March 22, 2018 Fabulous poem, David! I am so impressed by the depth and meaning in all the poems contributed thus far. I’m so glad others are enjoying this challenge, too! Reply Damian Robin March 22, 2018 Hi Amy thanks for sharing your rainy day play. Impressive so many can follow your way and make so much sense from the small and dense with only three extra words for lee-way. Some time ago I had the notion to set alphabetical acrostical poemicals in motion; but Oh how tiresome, Oh how rum, to bid ev’ry letter of the alphabet come. So, to avoid the awkward x, y, z, I filled my head with awful words instead. Yes, awful awfull (but seldom awe-full) aw-full a-wfull a-w full a to w full a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w full absurds. Yes, nonsense bonne-sense that may be a bit clearer down every future gully having ingeniously juggled knowledge lovingly more narrow or perhaps quintessentially ravingly sense-less to ultimate vanity’s wilderness Yes, awful, isn’t it? But more fun than an alligator bun. Thanks, Amy, For the opportunity, Damian Reply Amy Foreman March 22, 2018 Super, Damian! More fun than an alligator bun! Reply Amy Foreman March 22, 2018 Here’s another one for the computer age: Always back computer drivers. Every file gets held. Index JPGs, key logins, Motherboard-remelds. Never overstuff your PC; Quick reboots save time. Under valid warranteeing, X-cel yields zilch crime! And a little explosive chemistry: After benevolent chemists decant ether’s foam, Gaseous helium instantly joins kaolin’s loam. Manganese, nitrogen, oxygen, all polychrome, Quickly react, so that “unbreakable” velodrome Wildly explodes yeasty zeppelins under its dome. Reply Steven Shaffer March 24, 2018 Always betting, commonly doleful, eager, frequent, gaming hopeful. Incredible jackpot – my king! my liege! money bestows noblesse oblige. Practice quiet, regulatory stealth; taxes unpaid — volatile wealth. Extraordinary young zillionaire! Reply Amy Foreman March 24, 2018 Terrific poem, Steven. Love the subject matter, too! Reply Steven Shaffer March 25, 2018 Thanks Amy! As a computer scientist, I appreciated your “PC” poem. Damian Robin April 4, 2018 Hi Amy, more fuel for the fire, I have no available awfuls—the one above was made on the spot as I have not kept the origional batch (from decades ago) though I may have one in an old magazine somewhere. Amazed at the full rhymes people have achieved. Here, I’ve managed 7 x 7-syllable lines with four half rhyme endings spaced by none-rymed lines. I may have cheated by using Mandarin words: Xin1xing4 – moral character and Zhen1 – Truth —I hope the content does not scare anyone off Very Best Damian Amid Boundless Confusion, Dafa Expands; Falun Gong Heals Inside-out. Justice, Known, Lifts Majorities’ Non-life. Opened, Pure, Quiet Reason Sustains Them, Uplifts Virtue, Wisdom’s Xinxing, Yielding Zhen. Reply Amy Foreman April 5, 2018 Wow! Impressively plotted out in an amazing 7×7 poetry grid! Very difficult to do. Bravo, Damian! Reply Damian Robin April 10, 2018 Addicted, bother … Penalty Shootout Alone. Ball Centered. Dot. Eyes Focusing (Goal.Goal.Goal.) He Inhales. Jimmies. Kicks … Lops Miserably… Nicks Outer Post! Qualifying Roasts … Starts Turning Upfield, Visibly Worn. X. Young. Zero. Reply Amy Foreman April 12, 2018 So sorry I didn’t see this fabulous ABC poem until now, Damian! This is just genius, the spacing, the punctuation, the structure. Really, really good! Reply Damian Robin April 12, 2018 Thanks Amy, I was beginning to think it was TOO non-traditional! Amy Foreman April 13, 2018 Absolutely not to non-traditional, Damian. It may be my favorite one yet, simply because it doesn’t feel forced at all, even though it has been squeezed into this extremely limiting form. Great job! I, also, am a bit addicted to this puzzle when I have the time and inclination . . . so here’s another one about calling the kids home to supper . . . Atlases best can direct every fourth-grader home. Instantly, juvenile kids loudly make noise or phone. Quickly returning, by some transportation unknown, Vaulting those wayward x-patriates back to your zone. Reply Amy Foreman April 13, 2018 “too”–not “to” . . .sorry about that! Reply Damian Robin April 14, 2018 Astonishing! Brilliant, Cadenced Dactyls … (Excuses Florrish, Guiding Hopelessness In — Just Kan’t Keep up — Kompetitive, Loco Mentality .. Me, me … Bravo, Amy, dexterous prosody, rhythm and symmetry. [Though I think you missed a bit— shouldn’t ‘noise’ be ‘noises’ in the midst of it to keep the dactyl’s poises?] It wonderfully evokes the peel, the belling mayhem of the meal, the calling to of mini hordes from far and wide and odd abroads; the homely, mini refectory, that may be in a mini assembly hall where some sense of parity with the wider educational sprawl is as good as it can be. [ I home schooled my kids — or ‘home educated’ as we say in this across-the-water here UK — with my wife and many bids to higher beings to keep the lids on stew pots and the binned get-rids. The memories don’t disappear though all growed up and in their 20s with some, as adults, still living here, and that is plenties!! ] That you appear sane and happy and have time for yourself in poetry is praise for well done schooling — that your children must be paying back some of what you’ve taught them. PS Did you know, in Chinese the word for ‘name’ is the sign for dusk above the sign for mouth. It alludes to parents calling their children home in the evening. 名 Míng VBest Damian Amy Foreman April 14, 2018 What a lovely post, Damian! And it was wonderful to read that you and your wife home-educated your kids. My husband and I have made many mistakes as parents, but schooling the kids at home was not one of them! Glad the public system Missed ’em! We were happy to assist ’em! Proverbs says, “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” It’s the truth. All seven of ours (ages 12 through 22) are a constant delight, and give both my husband and me rest. I think the closeness that comes from schooling at home fosters a big bunch of goodwill between the kids and the parents and between the kids and each other. . . even though all of us occasionally do drive one another crazy! Still, we wouldn’t have it any other way! Blessings to you and your family! Reply Vanth Seven April 18, 2018 This was a super fun post to read. I did a similar challage is my old writing group. It was to write a poem with song titles from only 1 band. Perhaps you would like to try. I chose the Grateful Dead. You could use extra words to connect sentences but every line has to contain a song title. Death is Life for the Grateful Dead The dark star is coming She is the October Queen The saint of circumstance Pick up you’re china doll little queen Forget the sins of your father There is work to be done Their watching you from Franklyn’s tower Your warrior awaits you in this broke down palace In his hand a box of rain He is the estimated prophet A trinket grail but the blood is purely yours Venture through the cold rain and snow and pay your tariff At Terrapin station all the while whispering he’s gone But here in your fathers last temple he whispers back She belongs to me A thirteen point lightning rod will steel your face Just as Jack Straw leads you through Shakedown St mumbling to himself About yesterday’s Mexicali blues In the days between there are no easy answers Believe it or not all we are is just a ripple In the black muddy river Blow away your foolish hearts You are neither the victim or the crime In this strange world This night of a thousand stars Here only the strange remain even so You were built to last you’re the mind bender A ramble on rose here where Time never ends just empty pages in the Greatest story never told Dance your samba in the rain Underneath the Banyan tree Celebrate childhoods end Black throated wind blows through the Fire on the mountain in a touch of gray There stands Wharf Rat throwing stones Beckoning to you with crazy fingers “My queen from the heart of me there is help on the way Please let me sing our blues away I find you easy to love If I had the world to give I would wrap it just for you Wrap it in scarlet begonias” Dire wolf circles through the fennario and the demon daughters Standing on the moon are linked by an unbroken chain Getting drunk on the pride of Cucamonga Dire wolf lets out a mighty roar “Be gone black Peter Take your demon wife’s with you I know you rider You friend of the devil” “Nihil interesse inter diemet saeculum” No Peter this is the poorest day to die but you for you Death don’t have no mercy It’s just like any other day that’s ever been The only time is now sweet crimson rose Peter’s blood runs to sweet ruby Cerise from his foolish heart Yet Reuben and Cerise are merely the Pirouette in the carnival And I’m your fatal vision Wave to the wind I will show you the way to go home With my immortal kiss now just through that corps aside All liars, pretender , Peter , Rueben , Wharf Rat it makes no differences in a name The righteous purest will ascend while ravens sing you to sleep “Never trust a women” Silents wolf I am death I am the big bad wolf you fool I am the nightmare that never ends you are just the thorn of the rose vine Encompassing life’s mortal coil little queen Lazy lightning resembles the wolfs smirk of a smile Smile smile smile I know you yet you feel like a stranger I am the strange the martyrdom the keeper of the rose But I have no need for the attics of my life Oh my little China doll Righteous blood will feed your soul and the strength of hatred Will fuel you for the journey down the lazy river road You see a broken heart I see a new beginning It must have been the roses that led you to me Come your lost sailor awaits in the last of your fathers homes In the musk rat flats there the last red wood temple dwells Your ancient prince sitting with a grail of memories And a box of rain. By Vanth Seven (Enjoy) Reply Amy Foreman April 19, 2018 What fun, Vanth Seven! This could be a great rainy day game–now if only there would be another rainy day in Arizona! Thanks so much for sharing this! Reply Jenni Wyn Hyatt May 1, 2018 What an amazing challenge, Amy, and what terrific poems are emerging! Unfortunately, like Joe’s, my mind at the moment is a complete blank. Reply Amy Foreman May 1, 2018 Haha . . . I know what you mean, Jenni! You might have to wait for that rainy afternoon! I, too, have been so impressed with the creative poems that have resulted from this challenge. Reply Linda Imbler May 1, 2018 A Misstep in Space A big comet dodging Earth flew, generously hacked into Jove, kept little matter, not otherwise packed. Quite ruined stars’ telemetry, Upset space’s vac, whose infinite X-istence you labeled Zodiac. Reply Amy Foreman May 1, 2018 Wonderful rhyming poem, Linda, with sense and meaning worked expertly into the tight construction–very well done! Reply Linda Imbler May 2, 2018 Thank you so much, Amy. I enjoyed this activity! Joan Carol Fullmore May 1, 2018 This is Brilliant!!! Reply Linda Imbler May 2, 2018 Thank you! Joan Carol Fullmore May 4, 2018 Linda, I have thought of your poem each day since reading for I am a lover of astronomy and metaphysics – to me your poem is genius in how it captures the beginning of our universe and Amy’s idea allows it to be easily memorized!! You might show your poem to Neil deGrasse and let him know how Amy inspired you. I asked him a question on relativity long ago by email (he probably doesn’t even use that now – message him on Facebook or twitter) and he replied – you never know he may feature your poem on his site if you can contact him. Once again this is brilliant!!! Reply Linda Imbler May 5, 2018 Thank you, Joan. Such kind words! Joan Carol Fullmore May 1, 2018 Alone breathing calming down, ever Free God He’s Infinity Justice Keeper. Love money neighbors out pace quieter Resting. Serene trusting understands Victorious wisdom exudes – your Zen! Reply Amy Foreman May 1, 2018 This is beautiful and meaningful, Joan! With no extraneous words. Lovely! Reply Joan Carol Fullmore May 2, 2018 Thank you so much! Means a lot coming from you! Linda Imbler May 2, 2018 Such nice work, Joan! Reply Joan Fullmore May 2, 2018 thank you so much! Reply Paul Gray May 2, 2018 A Kiss from Zorro. A bully can’t Defeat easily, Fight good humouredly Impose joyous kindness Learn mostly, Not optimistic prayers! Quiet ripostes shall then usurp Valiantly winning X Yours, Zorro. Reply Amy Foreman May 2, 2018 Love how you used the “X” as a kiss from Zorro! Super clever! Nicely done, Paul! Reply Joan Fullmore May 2, 2018 Great style and so clever like Amy said, it is zexy!! Linda Imbler May 2, 2018 This is wonderful! Reply Amy Foreman May 2, 2018 “Zexy,” indeed! 🙂 Joella Wadel May 2, 2018 ABC Amy Alphabetical bohemian— Culled, dilettante, elect. Feasance to genius heirology! Intellect juggler. Kind Lent And mercy for national opera poet. Quintessent radial sarod to Underwrite verbatim ways. eXulti Yin Zenith. Reply Amy Foreman May 2, 2018 A Breath-taking, Consummate Discourse: Each Formulation Glimmering with Humorous Intellect, Joella! . . . .Bravo! Reply Joella Wadel May 2, 2018 Thank you for the opportunity. Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 To all who have contributed thus far: A Big Congratulations! Delightful Entries From Great Human Intellects Just Kinda Leave Me Nearly Overjoyed! Poets Quite Readily Shape Tour de forces Unique: Veritable Workmanship eXcelling . . . Yessir, they’re sure Zippy! Reply Paul Gray May 3, 2018 The Birth. A baby comes Disdaining every fear Generating hopes Instigating joyful kisses Loves mad nuances ordered Placate querulous reasoning Smothering the ubiquitous vanities Welcoming Xavier’s Youthful zephyrs Reply Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 This is genius, Paul! I love it! Reply Linda Imbler May 5, 2018 This is genius! Reply Paul Gray May 3, 2018 The New College Dean’s Speech. Approaches breathing, coughs Doubt ensues feverishly, Galloping hormones Ignominious jibes Kinfolk lachrymose, Mouthing naysayers Optimism postponed Quizzing repeatedly, Suspicion towers Underwhelmed Voice withers Xenophobic Yawns ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Reply Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Oh, that poor new college dean! I have seen a crowd of blasé students like that, with the new guy trying to work up the courage to speak in front of them! Very creative poems, Paul! Reply Linda Imbler May 5, 2018 Well written and so true! Reply Paul Gray May 3, 2018 Homo Flinstonious. After Barney called during eventide Fred got hot It’s just kinda loose Making noises openly Practically Queer, Real sexy though, Unusual? Very! Wilma? X-rated Yabadabadoo Zany! Reply Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Haha! This one is just delightfully goofy! Thanks for the chuckle, Paul! Reply Juleigh Howard-Hobson May 3, 2018 Arise, beautiful children! Dawn enters Fairyland, gaining here its journey’s keen Luminescence. Morning, new-sprung, occurs. Pan’s quick-quivering reeds swell to unseen Voices warbling with Exaltation: yellow’s zenith. Reply Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Wow, Juleigh! Beautiful imagery and perfect sense–you’ve incorporated such an ethereal, picturesque mood into this strict “form.” Well done! Reply Juleigh Howard-Hobson May 3, 2018 Thank you. Your challenge was inspiring!! Linda Imbler May 5, 2018 Magnificent! Reply Juleigh Howard-Hobson May 9, 2018 Thank you so much! Paul Gray May 3, 2018 Anthony became Cleo, Daring emasculation Found girlishly happy instincts joyously kinetic Loathed manhood’s nervy oppressive posing, Quick reacting, slow thinking, useless vain wisecracking yobbo Zapped Reply Linda Imbler May 5, 2018 Terrific! Reply Paul Gray May 3, 2018 Anthony became Cleo, Daring emasculation Found girlishly happy instincts joyously kinetic Loathed manhood’s nervy oppressive posing, Quick reacting, slow thinking, useless vain wisecracking ex yobbo Zapped Reply Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Paul, you are on fire! Your ABC poems are clever, culturally apropos, and plentiful! Five stars! Reply Paul Gray May 4, 2018 Fatuous Gluttonous. Apples, blue cheese, Devilled eggs, Fried garlic, Horseradish, ices Jackfruit, kedgeree, Lemon meringue (nice option), Pressed quail, roasted sardines, Tuna uncooked, Venison, Wilfully expanding Your zips. Reply Amy Foreman May 4, 2018 You are definitely on a roll, Paul! A gooey, caramel roll, dripping with butter! You’re making all of us who read this hungry . . . 😉 Reply Paul Gray May 4, 2018 Great idea Amy and great fun, but slightly addictive. Many thanks. Linda Imbler May 5, 2018 Yep, this is all epicureans’ idea of a poem. Fabulous! And oh so tasty. Reply Paul Gray May 4, 2018 Window Sill Fester. A blind cat Dives everywhere, Forgotten, gone His instinct’s jarred Killing little mammals Not optional Purring quietly? Rarely so tranquil! Usurped, vexed Wearisome exit, Yellowish Zymotic. Reply Amy Foreman May 4, 2018 Wonderful, Paul! I agree. It IS addictive! I have found myself, going through my day, and thinking thoughts . . . and suddenly realizing those thoughts are alphabetical! Funny how the brain gets going on a certain track . . . Glad you’ve enjoyed this as much as I have! Reply Paul Gray May 4, 2018 Ah blessed children Don’t ever forget Good homes Inspire joy, Knowledge Loosens magnificent nascent optimism, Providing questioning’s royal solace, These upward visions Welcome xeniums, Yield zest. Reply Amy Foreman May 4, 2018 An ABC blessing for the home . . . perfect! Had to look up “xeniums.” That was a new one: “1 : a present given among the ancient Greeks and Romans to a guest or stranger and especially to a foreign ambassador. 2 xenia plural : gifts sometimes given compulsorily to medieval rulers and churches.” (Merriam-Webster) Reply Damian Robin May 7, 2018 Acrostics Based on Chinese Do Exist (well, sort of). “In Chinese language, there are no letters. Every single word/character stands alone and means something. So, putting every first word of each line of a poem together, they mean something else. Well, now let’s show everyone an example of Cang Tou Shi. “ See https://www.whitecloudpoetrysociety.org/blogs/2018/4/8/what-is-cang-tou-shi- Although acrostics of roman alphabets do not need to tag the first letter of a line, Chinese Cang Tou Shi do. As the translator Jennifer Zeng says in the blog linked above: “Cang” is the Chinese word for “to hide”, or “hidden”. “Tou” means at the beginning. “Shi” is the Chinese word for poetry and poem. Not as tight as the a to zeds on this page, Amy, but interesting possibilities. Reply Amy Foreman May 7, 2018 Very interesting, Damian! I think there would be all sorts of fun possibilities with this using the English language. We usually think of acrostics as just dealing with the beginning letter, but what if all the beginning words of lines read as their own message when perceived from top to bottom, as the “White Cloud” Cang Tou Shi did? And what if the second words could be read from top to bottom, reading the same as the second line? And the third words, read from top to bottom would be the same as a third line? And so on . . . sort of a linguistic sudoku. Kind of a strange idea, but I tried it on for size. This poem doesn’t make a lot of sense, but if you look carefully, the first words of each line are the first line, and the second words of each line are the second line, and so on. I couldn’t make it come out quite right, but it’s a first attempt–and I tried to keep a little rhyme going there, too. This should ward off old-age diseases! 😉 Can you listen or rehearse? You should know this is a curse. Listen, know it’s not a game, Or this knot head seeking fame. “Rehearse” is a seeking word. For a game, fame once was stirred. That curse, now, is undeterred. Reply Paul Gray May 8, 2018 Star Man. After Bowie Culture declined! England’s fey genius, Harmonious inveterate jester Kaleidoscopic, Life, Mars? Nebulous, Outstandingly pretentious Quintessential Rocker Sexy traversing upstager Visionary wordsmith Extraordinary Young Ziggy! Reply Amy Foreman May 8, 2018 David Bowie, anyone? Another great ABC from Paul Gray! Reply Paul Gray May 9, 2018 The Other Route. Zippers yawning, X-rated wantonness Vibrant untrammelled torsions, Sensual revelry Questing Passion Overthrows normalities, Moist lustful kisses Joined Intimate harmonised groupings, Forgotten edicts Disdaining convention Bacchanalian abandon. Reply Amy Foreman May 9, 2018 Oh, boy! The backwards poem . . . about moral backsliding . . . this is a great idea, because the easier part of the poem will come last, instead of the poet getting to “v” or “w” and running out of options! Reply Paul Gray May 9, 2018 Being Irish, my experience is that moralists slide on their bellies. Paul Gray May 9, 2018 Waiting. Another banal concert, Discouraging expectations For Godot, Halfwit’s incessant japes Kinaesthetic Lucky Moron’s nervous overbearing pleas Quiet! RECALL SOMETHING Terribly unique, Vladimir’s weary existential yawn, Zombies. Reply Amy Foreman May 9, 2018 ABC ennui, oh, me! Nicely done by Paul, you see . . . And here’s a little upset at the local zoo . . . so much for lunch! Armadillos, Bengal-tigers, Coatimundis, Dogs, Egrets, Fawns, Gorillas, Hippos, Insects on their Logs, Jaguars, Killer Lions, Mambas, Night-Owls, Plus Quahaugs, Rats, Snails, Ticks Upset Vans, X-ing Yeasty Zoo hot dogs. Reply Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Noble Bill’s no bilge as Noblesse Oblige. A Bard Comes, Dramatic English Foreseer, Greatest Harbinger, Ironic Jewelled Knowledge Leading Mankind, Nuanced Observer Philosopher, Questioner, Romanticist, Satirist, Tragedian, Unmatched Veracity, Worldly Excellent Yon Zeus. Reply Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Laptop lapsarian. All Bloody Cowards Dreading Eternity’s Fate Generate Hope Imply Justice Kill logic Manufacture Nonsense, Oppressive Protestants, Quakers Rabbled Sectarians, Transcendental Universalists, Villainous Wormwoods Expectant Yea-saying Zoroastrians. Reply Paul Gray May 10, 2018 I won’t be in today for the South Wind brings: Abscesses, Bunions, Callouses, Dengue, Ebola, Fever, Gout, Hernias, Impetigo, Jaundice, Kawasaki, Leprosy, Mange, Neurosis, Osteoporosis, Pneumonia, Q-fever, Rickets, Sarcoidosis Tachycardia, Ulcers, Venereal, Warts, Xerostomia, Yaws, Zits. Reply Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Baker Street. Arthur’s Book Conan Doyle, Elementary, Fiendishly Good Holmes Intuitive, Jocular Killers Lagged, May Need Other? Perhaps, Quiet, Reliable, Stoical, Trustworthy Unimpeachable Valiant Watson, Excursive Yet Zealous! Reply Amy Foreman May 10, 2018 William Shakespeare, Original Sin, and a catalogue of diseases . . . all in ABC format! Go, Paul! Reply Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Thanks Amy, the problem with original sin is that it’s so unoriginal. Reply Amy Foreman May 10, 2018 So true! Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Still Single Seeks. Artistic Bohemian Creative Dandy, Excellent Fellow Gregarious, Handsome Inveterate Joker, Kind, Loving, Manly, Naturally Optimistic Passionate, Quiet Reasonable, Serious, Trustworthy, Upstanding Viable Womanising Ex Yodelling Zionist. Reply Amy Foreman May 10, 2018 Haha! I doubt if the SWF is going to find herself a man who’s all those things, from A to Z! Seriously, Paul, you should make a book of these–you are prolific! 🙂 Reply Paul Gray May 11, 2018 Bringers of light. A burning candle Dying embers Flaring gases, Halogen, Intelligence Jokes, Kids, Laughter, Matches, Neon, Old Photographs, Quivering Rays, Shiny things Ultraviolet, Veracity Women, X-rays, Years, Zaftig. Paul Gray May 11, 2018 Painting Salvador’s Funeral. A bovine canoe, Dali’s eggs, Funereal goldfish, Happy Impala’s juggling Kirsch labels Malevolently naked overlords Pronouncing Quatrains, Rising sherry tides, Upended valises, Wildebeest Xylophones, Yo-yoing Zimmer-frames. Reply Amy Foreman May 11, 2018 “Bringers of Light” is quite profound. Well done, Paul! Reply Paul Gray May 14, 2018 On the… A bum, Charlie Docks, Edie, Father, Garden, Hey! It’s Johnny, Killing Lost Malloy’s nobody, Options? Philosophy? Quiet? Rat? Strength? Terry, Union Violence Waterfront, Expiation? Yes! Zenith. Reply Paul Gray May 15, 2018 Remember. Adolf became chancellor Death ensued, Feral Germany, Holocaust Iniquitous Jew Killing, Loathsome Mankind’s New Order, Protection? Quashed! Resistance? Some! Terror, Ubiquitous vilification, War, extermination, Yearning Zion! Reply Amy Foreman May 23, 2018 History in ABC! Another couple of impressive groupings from Paul Gray! Reply Lauren Latona May 22, 2018 This really tested my patients, haha, but I wanted to give it a whirl! “Confession” Apparition blazon corruption, Decency escapes foes. God harboring ill-will, Justice knows lascivious motivation – Not objectivism. Parish questor, Right seldom triumphs. Unanticipated visitor, We without xenia – Yield zeal. Reply Lauren Latona May 22, 2018 PATIENCE !! Sorry, it’s late! The part of my brain that knows how to spell checks out at a certain point each night. Reply Amy Foreman May 23, 2018 Well done, Lauren! It’s a trick to get it all to form sentences, but you did it easily, it appears! Thanks for trying this out! 🙂 Joe Spring July 12, 2018 I had to go find this one I wrote in 2016. “Afrikaners, Blacks, Coloureds Durbanites, English foreigners: Go, hate, in ‘justice’, kill, loot, mock!” No. Offer peaceful questions. Revise, share, teach. (Usually, violent wrath exposes young zeal.) Reply Amy Foreman May 14, 2019 I hadn’t visited this page in quite some time, Joe, and just saw this poem! What a meaningful, well-written sentiment, even apart from the genius alphabetical line-up! Well-done! Reply Rupert Palmer April 23, 2019 Azure breezes’ cadent dance Enters fire-gasping helm Inuring jousting knightly lance Mighty nimbuses of Pelm Quixotic rider, stallion tall, unreal Vanquish who’d exhaust your zeal! Reply Amy Foreman May 14, 2019 This is excellent, Rupert! Reply R Linelle G June 5, 2019 Tower in the East A bending cold darkness elongates forth Ghastly howls ignite jail’s kingdom Lightning mimics nearby onlookers Penitentiary Quakers, Reformatory Slammer Tuesday. Underground. Volatile “Willie”, XI yardbirds zip Reply Amy Foreman July 26, 2019 I just saw this, R Linelle G! Very evocative! Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
James A. Tweedie March 20, 2018 Sooooooo silly! Sooooooo much harder than it looks! Soooooooo . . . here goes nothing! Able bodied chef denies Edible fruits give health. Insists Juiced kiwi leaves’ll mesmerize. Neurotic ophthalmologists. Prepares quesadillas, roasted skink, Then uncooked veal with xanthic-yellow zinc. Reply
Amy Foreman March 20, 2018 And you didn’t even use “X” for “ex” or throw in any extra words. Well done!
James A. Tweedie March 20, 2018 Finding an “x” word that made any sense was quite a challenge, lol! I hope others give it a shot. You are one crazy, clever lady, Amy. Your kids must be getting a great education with you in charge. Reply
David Watt March 21, 2018 The puzzle idea is quite clever! Your poems set the bar very high. However, here follows my attempt: A boy could dance, Eye fondest glance, Hold in joyous kiss Love’s mad nuances. Over-pacing Quickstep, Rhumba, Samba, Tango; Until Vigour’s wantonness Expires youthful zoom. Reply
Joe Tessitore March 21, 2018 Great fun but I got just about nowhere with it; “All babies cry”, “Anybody care”, “Amy bakes cookies”. My hat’s off to all of you! Reply
Nick March 21, 2018 Query for the Hollow Men Across broken columns, did Eliot find greatness hiding in jeweled, kingly light? Maybe. Not. Or perhaps these questions reach, slowly, toward undulating, violent waves bringing exhausted, yellowed zeitgeists. Reply
Theo March 21, 2018 After bittersweet changes Dreams effortlessly flourish Glory humbles instantly Just kind loving moves nascent obstructions Proving quiet repose Settles tumultuous undulating Vicissitudes Wonderful experiences yearning for Zion Reply
Amy Foreman March 21, 2018 The phrase “yearning for Zion” goes far beyond the “nonsense poem,” Theo. Well done! Reply
David Paul Behrens March 22, 2018 A to Z A Bible can divulge even far greater heights in justice, knowledge, learning, meaningfulness, neatly opening plentiful questions regarding subtle truths, upon very wide examination, yielding zestfulness. I do not belong to any church, nor exclusively adhere to any specific religion or school of thought. About ten years ago I read the Bible, cover to cover, word for word, in its entirety, just as though I was reading a novel or a biography. I found it to be full of truth, wisdom and philosophy. I recommend to any poet seeking inspiration. For me, it induced the revelation that Jesus Christ is the single most influential and important human being in the history of mankind. As a result, he is my only hero. Speaking of revelations, I think the Book of Revelations is a fantasy and should be dropped from the Bible. It does more harm than good. (Funny how your little poetry puzzle challenge yielded all these thoughts. Thank you, Amy) Reply
Amy Foreman March 22, 2018 Fabulous poem, David! I am so impressed by the depth and meaning in all the poems contributed thus far. I’m so glad others are enjoying this challenge, too! Reply
Damian Robin March 22, 2018 Hi Amy thanks for sharing your rainy day play. Impressive so many can follow your way and make so much sense from the small and dense with only three extra words for lee-way. Some time ago I had the notion to set alphabetical acrostical poemicals in motion; but Oh how tiresome, Oh how rum, to bid ev’ry letter of the alphabet come. So, to avoid the awkward x, y, z, I filled my head with awful words instead. Yes, awful awfull (but seldom awe-full) aw-full a-wfull a-w full a to w full a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w full absurds. Yes, nonsense bonne-sense that may be a bit clearer down every future gully having ingeniously juggled knowledge lovingly more narrow or perhaps quintessentially ravingly sense-less to ultimate vanity’s wilderness Yes, awful, isn’t it? But more fun than an alligator bun. Thanks, Amy, For the opportunity, Damian Reply
Amy Foreman March 22, 2018 Here’s another one for the computer age: Always back computer drivers. Every file gets held. Index JPGs, key logins, Motherboard-remelds. Never overstuff your PC; Quick reboots save time. Under valid warranteeing, X-cel yields zilch crime! And a little explosive chemistry: After benevolent chemists decant ether’s foam, Gaseous helium instantly joins kaolin’s loam. Manganese, nitrogen, oxygen, all polychrome, Quickly react, so that “unbreakable” velodrome Wildly explodes yeasty zeppelins under its dome. Reply
Steven Shaffer March 24, 2018 Always betting, commonly doleful, eager, frequent, gaming hopeful. Incredible jackpot – my king! my liege! money bestows noblesse oblige. Practice quiet, regulatory stealth; taxes unpaid — volatile wealth. Extraordinary young zillionaire! Reply
Damian Robin April 4, 2018 Hi Amy, more fuel for the fire, I have no available awfuls—the one above was made on the spot as I have not kept the origional batch (from decades ago) though I may have one in an old magazine somewhere. Amazed at the full rhymes people have achieved. Here, I’ve managed 7 x 7-syllable lines with four half rhyme endings spaced by none-rymed lines. I may have cheated by using Mandarin words: Xin1xing4 – moral character and Zhen1 – Truth —I hope the content does not scare anyone off Very Best Damian Amid Boundless Confusion, Dafa Expands; Falun Gong Heals Inside-out. Justice, Known, Lifts Majorities’ Non-life. Opened, Pure, Quiet Reason Sustains Them, Uplifts Virtue, Wisdom’s Xinxing, Yielding Zhen. Reply
Amy Foreman April 5, 2018 Wow! Impressively plotted out in an amazing 7×7 poetry grid! Very difficult to do. Bravo, Damian! Reply
Damian Robin April 10, 2018 Addicted, bother … Penalty Shootout Alone. Ball Centered. Dot. Eyes Focusing (Goal.Goal.Goal.) He Inhales. Jimmies. Kicks … Lops Miserably… Nicks Outer Post! Qualifying Roasts … Starts Turning Upfield, Visibly Worn. X. Young. Zero. Reply
Amy Foreman April 12, 2018 So sorry I didn’t see this fabulous ABC poem until now, Damian! This is just genius, the spacing, the punctuation, the structure. Really, really good! Reply
Amy Foreman April 13, 2018 Absolutely not to non-traditional, Damian. It may be my favorite one yet, simply because it doesn’t feel forced at all, even though it has been squeezed into this extremely limiting form. Great job! I, also, am a bit addicted to this puzzle when I have the time and inclination . . . so here’s another one about calling the kids home to supper . . . Atlases best can direct every fourth-grader home. Instantly, juvenile kids loudly make noise or phone. Quickly returning, by some transportation unknown, Vaulting those wayward x-patriates back to your zone. Reply
Damian Robin April 14, 2018 Astonishing! Brilliant, Cadenced Dactyls … (Excuses Florrish, Guiding Hopelessness In — Just Kan’t Keep up — Kompetitive, Loco Mentality .. Me, me … Bravo, Amy, dexterous prosody, rhythm and symmetry. [Though I think you missed a bit— shouldn’t ‘noise’ be ‘noises’ in the midst of it to keep the dactyl’s poises?] It wonderfully evokes the peel, the belling mayhem of the meal, the calling to of mini hordes from far and wide and odd abroads; the homely, mini refectory, that may be in a mini assembly hall where some sense of parity with the wider educational sprawl is as good as it can be. [ I home schooled my kids — or ‘home educated’ as we say in this across-the-water here UK — with my wife and many bids to higher beings to keep the lids on stew pots and the binned get-rids. The memories don’t disappear though all growed up and in their 20s with some, as adults, still living here, and that is plenties!! ] That you appear sane and happy and have time for yourself in poetry is praise for well done schooling — that your children must be paying back some of what you’ve taught them. PS Did you know, in Chinese the word for ‘name’ is the sign for dusk above the sign for mouth. It alludes to parents calling their children home in the evening. 名 Míng VBest Damian
Amy Foreman April 14, 2018 What a lovely post, Damian! And it was wonderful to read that you and your wife home-educated your kids. My husband and I have made many mistakes as parents, but schooling the kids at home was not one of them! Glad the public system Missed ’em! We were happy to assist ’em! Proverbs says, “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” It’s the truth. All seven of ours (ages 12 through 22) are a constant delight, and give both my husband and me rest. I think the closeness that comes from schooling at home fosters a big bunch of goodwill between the kids and the parents and between the kids and each other. . . even though all of us occasionally do drive one another crazy! Still, we wouldn’t have it any other way! Blessings to you and your family! Reply
Vanth Seven April 18, 2018 This was a super fun post to read. I did a similar challage is my old writing group. It was to write a poem with song titles from only 1 band. Perhaps you would like to try. I chose the Grateful Dead. You could use extra words to connect sentences but every line has to contain a song title. Death is Life for the Grateful Dead The dark star is coming She is the October Queen The saint of circumstance Pick up you’re china doll little queen Forget the sins of your father There is work to be done Their watching you from Franklyn’s tower Your warrior awaits you in this broke down palace In his hand a box of rain He is the estimated prophet A trinket grail but the blood is purely yours Venture through the cold rain and snow and pay your tariff At Terrapin station all the while whispering he’s gone But here in your fathers last temple he whispers back She belongs to me A thirteen point lightning rod will steel your face Just as Jack Straw leads you through Shakedown St mumbling to himself About yesterday’s Mexicali blues In the days between there are no easy answers Believe it or not all we are is just a ripple In the black muddy river Blow away your foolish hearts You are neither the victim or the crime In this strange world This night of a thousand stars Here only the strange remain even so You were built to last you’re the mind bender A ramble on rose here where Time never ends just empty pages in the Greatest story never told Dance your samba in the rain Underneath the Banyan tree Celebrate childhoods end Black throated wind blows through the Fire on the mountain in a touch of gray There stands Wharf Rat throwing stones Beckoning to you with crazy fingers “My queen from the heart of me there is help on the way Please let me sing our blues away I find you easy to love If I had the world to give I would wrap it just for you Wrap it in scarlet begonias” Dire wolf circles through the fennario and the demon daughters Standing on the moon are linked by an unbroken chain Getting drunk on the pride of Cucamonga Dire wolf lets out a mighty roar “Be gone black Peter Take your demon wife’s with you I know you rider You friend of the devil” “Nihil interesse inter diemet saeculum” No Peter this is the poorest day to die but you for you Death don’t have no mercy It’s just like any other day that’s ever been The only time is now sweet crimson rose Peter’s blood runs to sweet ruby Cerise from his foolish heart Yet Reuben and Cerise are merely the Pirouette in the carnival And I’m your fatal vision Wave to the wind I will show you the way to go home With my immortal kiss now just through that corps aside All liars, pretender , Peter , Rueben , Wharf Rat it makes no differences in a name The righteous purest will ascend while ravens sing you to sleep “Never trust a women” Silents wolf I am death I am the big bad wolf you fool I am the nightmare that never ends you are just the thorn of the rose vine Encompassing life’s mortal coil little queen Lazy lightning resembles the wolfs smirk of a smile Smile smile smile I know you yet you feel like a stranger I am the strange the martyrdom the keeper of the rose But I have no need for the attics of my life Oh my little China doll Righteous blood will feed your soul and the strength of hatred Will fuel you for the journey down the lazy river road You see a broken heart I see a new beginning It must have been the roses that led you to me Come your lost sailor awaits in the last of your fathers homes In the musk rat flats there the last red wood temple dwells Your ancient prince sitting with a grail of memories And a box of rain. By Vanth Seven (Enjoy) Reply
Amy Foreman April 19, 2018 What fun, Vanth Seven! This could be a great rainy day game–now if only there would be another rainy day in Arizona! Thanks so much for sharing this! Reply
Jenni Wyn Hyatt May 1, 2018 What an amazing challenge, Amy, and what terrific poems are emerging! Unfortunately, like Joe’s, my mind at the moment is a complete blank. Reply
Amy Foreman May 1, 2018 Haha . . . I know what you mean, Jenni! You might have to wait for that rainy afternoon! I, too, have been so impressed with the creative poems that have resulted from this challenge. Reply
Linda Imbler May 1, 2018 A Misstep in Space A big comet dodging Earth flew, generously hacked into Jove, kept little matter, not otherwise packed. Quite ruined stars’ telemetry, Upset space’s vac, whose infinite X-istence you labeled Zodiac. Reply
Amy Foreman May 1, 2018 Wonderful rhyming poem, Linda, with sense and meaning worked expertly into the tight construction–very well done! Reply
Joan Carol Fullmore May 4, 2018 Linda, I have thought of your poem each day since reading for I am a lover of astronomy and metaphysics – to me your poem is genius in how it captures the beginning of our universe and Amy’s idea allows it to be easily memorized!! You might show your poem to Neil deGrasse and let him know how Amy inspired you. I asked him a question on relativity long ago by email (he probably doesn’t even use that now – message him on Facebook or twitter) and he replied – you never know he may feature your poem on his site if you can contact him. Once again this is brilliant!!! Reply
Joan Carol Fullmore May 1, 2018 Alone breathing calming down, ever Free God He’s Infinity Justice Keeper. Love money neighbors out pace quieter Resting. Serene trusting understands Victorious wisdom exudes – your Zen! Reply
Amy Foreman May 1, 2018 This is beautiful and meaningful, Joan! With no extraneous words. Lovely! Reply
Paul Gray May 2, 2018 A Kiss from Zorro. A bully can’t Defeat easily, Fight good humouredly Impose joyous kindness Learn mostly, Not optimistic prayers! Quiet ripostes shall then usurp Valiantly winning X Yours, Zorro. Reply
Amy Foreman May 2, 2018 Love how you used the “X” as a kiss from Zorro! Super clever! Nicely done, Paul! Reply
Joella Wadel May 2, 2018 ABC Amy Alphabetical bohemian— Culled, dilettante, elect. Feasance to genius heirology! Intellect juggler. Kind Lent And mercy for national opera poet. Quintessent radial sarod to Underwrite verbatim ways. eXulti Yin Zenith. Reply
Amy Foreman May 2, 2018 A Breath-taking, Consummate Discourse: Each Formulation Glimmering with Humorous Intellect, Joella! . . . .Bravo! Reply
Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 To all who have contributed thus far: A Big Congratulations! Delightful Entries From Great Human Intellects Just Kinda Leave Me Nearly Overjoyed! Poets Quite Readily Shape Tour de forces Unique: Veritable Workmanship eXcelling . . . Yessir, they’re sure Zippy! Reply
Paul Gray May 3, 2018 The Birth. A baby comes Disdaining every fear Generating hopes Instigating joyful kisses Loves mad nuances ordered Placate querulous reasoning Smothering the ubiquitous vanities Welcoming Xavier’s Youthful zephyrs Reply
Paul Gray May 3, 2018 The New College Dean’s Speech. Approaches breathing, coughs Doubt ensues feverishly, Galloping hormones Ignominious jibes Kinfolk lachrymose, Mouthing naysayers Optimism postponed Quizzing repeatedly, Suspicion towers Underwhelmed Voice withers Xenophobic Yawns ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Reply
Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Oh, that poor new college dean! I have seen a crowd of blasé students like that, with the new guy trying to work up the courage to speak in front of them! Very creative poems, Paul! Reply
Paul Gray May 3, 2018 Homo Flinstonious. After Barney called during eventide Fred got hot It’s just kinda loose Making noises openly Practically Queer, Real sexy though, Unusual? Very! Wilma? X-rated Yabadabadoo Zany! Reply
Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Haha! This one is just delightfully goofy! Thanks for the chuckle, Paul! Reply
Juleigh Howard-Hobson May 3, 2018 Arise, beautiful children! Dawn enters Fairyland, gaining here its journey’s keen Luminescence. Morning, new-sprung, occurs. Pan’s quick-quivering reeds swell to unseen Voices warbling with Exaltation: yellow’s zenith. Reply
Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Wow, Juleigh! Beautiful imagery and perfect sense–you’ve incorporated such an ethereal, picturesque mood into this strict “form.” Well done! Reply
Paul Gray May 3, 2018 Anthony became Cleo, Daring emasculation Found girlishly happy instincts joyously kinetic Loathed manhood’s nervy oppressive posing, Quick reacting, slow thinking, useless vain wisecracking yobbo Zapped Reply
Paul Gray May 3, 2018 Anthony became Cleo, Daring emasculation Found girlishly happy instincts joyously kinetic Loathed manhood’s nervy oppressive posing, Quick reacting, slow thinking, useless vain wisecracking ex yobbo Zapped Reply
Amy Foreman May 3, 2018 Paul, you are on fire! Your ABC poems are clever, culturally apropos, and plentiful! Five stars! Reply
Paul Gray May 4, 2018 Fatuous Gluttonous. Apples, blue cheese, Devilled eggs, Fried garlic, Horseradish, ices Jackfruit, kedgeree, Lemon meringue (nice option), Pressed quail, roasted sardines, Tuna uncooked, Venison, Wilfully expanding Your zips. Reply
Amy Foreman May 4, 2018 You are definitely on a roll, Paul! A gooey, caramel roll, dripping with butter! You’re making all of us who read this hungry . . . 😉 Reply
Linda Imbler May 5, 2018 Yep, this is all epicureans’ idea of a poem. Fabulous! And oh so tasty. Reply
Paul Gray May 4, 2018 Window Sill Fester. A blind cat Dives everywhere, Forgotten, gone His instinct’s jarred Killing little mammals Not optional Purring quietly? Rarely so tranquil! Usurped, vexed Wearisome exit, Yellowish Zymotic. Reply
Amy Foreman May 4, 2018 Wonderful, Paul! I agree. It IS addictive! I have found myself, going through my day, and thinking thoughts . . . and suddenly realizing those thoughts are alphabetical! Funny how the brain gets going on a certain track . . . Glad you’ve enjoyed this as much as I have! Reply
Paul Gray May 4, 2018 Ah blessed children Don’t ever forget Good homes Inspire joy, Knowledge Loosens magnificent nascent optimism, Providing questioning’s royal solace, These upward visions Welcome xeniums, Yield zest. Reply
Amy Foreman May 4, 2018 An ABC blessing for the home . . . perfect! Had to look up “xeniums.” That was a new one: “1 : a present given among the ancient Greeks and Romans to a guest or stranger and especially to a foreign ambassador. 2 xenia plural : gifts sometimes given compulsorily to medieval rulers and churches.” (Merriam-Webster) Reply
Damian Robin May 7, 2018 Acrostics Based on Chinese Do Exist (well, sort of). “In Chinese language, there are no letters. Every single word/character stands alone and means something. So, putting every first word of each line of a poem together, they mean something else. Well, now let’s show everyone an example of Cang Tou Shi. “ See https://www.whitecloudpoetrysociety.org/blogs/2018/4/8/what-is-cang-tou-shi- Although acrostics of roman alphabets do not need to tag the first letter of a line, Chinese Cang Tou Shi do. As the translator Jennifer Zeng says in the blog linked above: “Cang” is the Chinese word for “to hide”, or “hidden”. “Tou” means at the beginning. “Shi” is the Chinese word for poetry and poem. Not as tight as the a to zeds on this page, Amy, but interesting possibilities. Reply
Amy Foreman May 7, 2018 Very interesting, Damian! I think there would be all sorts of fun possibilities with this using the English language. We usually think of acrostics as just dealing with the beginning letter, but what if all the beginning words of lines read as their own message when perceived from top to bottom, as the “White Cloud” Cang Tou Shi did? And what if the second words could be read from top to bottom, reading the same as the second line? And the third words, read from top to bottom would be the same as a third line? And so on . . . sort of a linguistic sudoku. Kind of a strange idea, but I tried it on for size. This poem doesn’t make a lot of sense, but if you look carefully, the first words of each line are the first line, and the second words of each line are the second line, and so on. I couldn’t make it come out quite right, but it’s a first attempt–and I tried to keep a little rhyme going there, too. This should ward off old-age diseases! 😉 Can you listen or rehearse? You should know this is a curse. Listen, know it’s not a game, Or this knot head seeking fame. “Rehearse” is a seeking word. For a game, fame once was stirred. That curse, now, is undeterred. Reply
Paul Gray May 8, 2018 Star Man. After Bowie Culture declined! England’s fey genius, Harmonious inveterate jester Kaleidoscopic, Life, Mars? Nebulous, Outstandingly pretentious Quintessential Rocker Sexy traversing upstager Visionary wordsmith Extraordinary Young Ziggy! Reply
Paul Gray May 9, 2018 The Other Route. Zippers yawning, X-rated wantonness Vibrant untrammelled torsions, Sensual revelry Questing Passion Overthrows normalities, Moist lustful kisses Joined Intimate harmonised groupings, Forgotten edicts Disdaining convention Bacchanalian abandon. Reply
Amy Foreman May 9, 2018 Oh, boy! The backwards poem . . . about moral backsliding . . . this is a great idea, because the easier part of the poem will come last, instead of the poet getting to “v” or “w” and running out of options! Reply
Paul Gray May 9, 2018 Waiting. Another banal concert, Discouraging expectations For Godot, Halfwit’s incessant japes Kinaesthetic Lucky Moron’s nervous overbearing pleas Quiet! RECALL SOMETHING Terribly unique, Vladimir’s weary existential yawn, Zombies. Reply
Amy Foreman May 9, 2018 ABC ennui, oh, me! Nicely done by Paul, you see . . . And here’s a little upset at the local zoo . . . so much for lunch! Armadillos, Bengal-tigers, Coatimundis, Dogs, Egrets, Fawns, Gorillas, Hippos, Insects on their Logs, Jaguars, Killer Lions, Mambas, Night-Owls, Plus Quahaugs, Rats, Snails, Ticks Upset Vans, X-ing Yeasty Zoo hot dogs. Reply
Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Noble Bill’s no bilge as Noblesse Oblige. A Bard Comes, Dramatic English Foreseer, Greatest Harbinger, Ironic Jewelled Knowledge Leading Mankind, Nuanced Observer Philosopher, Questioner, Romanticist, Satirist, Tragedian, Unmatched Veracity, Worldly Excellent Yon Zeus. Reply
Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Laptop lapsarian. All Bloody Cowards Dreading Eternity’s Fate Generate Hope Imply Justice Kill logic Manufacture Nonsense, Oppressive Protestants, Quakers Rabbled Sectarians, Transcendental Universalists, Villainous Wormwoods Expectant Yea-saying Zoroastrians. Reply
Paul Gray May 10, 2018 I won’t be in today for the South Wind brings: Abscesses, Bunions, Callouses, Dengue, Ebola, Fever, Gout, Hernias, Impetigo, Jaundice, Kawasaki, Leprosy, Mange, Neurosis, Osteoporosis, Pneumonia, Q-fever, Rickets, Sarcoidosis Tachycardia, Ulcers, Venereal, Warts, Xerostomia, Yaws, Zits. Reply
Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Baker Street. Arthur’s Book Conan Doyle, Elementary, Fiendishly Good Holmes Intuitive, Jocular Killers Lagged, May Need Other? Perhaps, Quiet, Reliable, Stoical, Trustworthy Unimpeachable Valiant Watson, Excursive Yet Zealous! Reply
Amy Foreman May 10, 2018 William Shakespeare, Original Sin, and a catalogue of diseases . . . all in ABC format! Go, Paul! Reply
Paul Gray May 10, 2018 Still Single Seeks. Artistic Bohemian Creative Dandy, Excellent Fellow Gregarious, Handsome Inveterate Joker, Kind, Loving, Manly, Naturally Optimistic Passionate, Quiet Reasonable, Serious, Trustworthy, Upstanding Viable Womanising Ex Yodelling Zionist. Reply
Amy Foreman May 10, 2018 Haha! I doubt if the SWF is going to find herself a man who’s all those things, from A to Z! Seriously, Paul, you should make a book of these–you are prolific! 🙂 Reply
Paul Gray May 11, 2018 Bringers of light. A burning candle Dying embers Flaring gases, Halogen, Intelligence Jokes, Kids, Laughter, Matches, Neon, Old Photographs, Quivering Rays, Shiny things Ultraviolet, Veracity Women, X-rays, Years, Zaftig.
Paul Gray May 11, 2018 Painting Salvador’s Funeral. A bovine canoe, Dali’s eggs, Funereal goldfish, Happy Impala’s juggling Kirsch labels Malevolently naked overlords Pronouncing Quatrains, Rising sherry tides, Upended valises, Wildebeest Xylophones, Yo-yoing Zimmer-frames. Reply
Paul Gray May 14, 2018 On the… A bum, Charlie Docks, Edie, Father, Garden, Hey! It’s Johnny, Killing Lost Malloy’s nobody, Options? Philosophy? Quiet? Rat? Strength? Terry, Union Violence Waterfront, Expiation? Yes! Zenith. Reply
Paul Gray May 15, 2018 Remember. Adolf became chancellor Death ensued, Feral Germany, Holocaust Iniquitous Jew Killing, Loathsome Mankind’s New Order, Protection? Quashed! Resistance? Some! Terror, Ubiquitous vilification, War, extermination, Yearning Zion! Reply
Amy Foreman May 23, 2018 History in ABC! Another couple of impressive groupings from Paul Gray! Reply
Lauren Latona May 22, 2018 This really tested my patients, haha, but I wanted to give it a whirl! “Confession” Apparition blazon corruption, Decency escapes foes. God harboring ill-will, Justice knows lascivious motivation – Not objectivism. Parish questor, Right seldom triumphs. Unanticipated visitor, We without xenia – Yield zeal. Reply
Lauren Latona May 22, 2018 PATIENCE !! Sorry, it’s late! The part of my brain that knows how to spell checks out at a certain point each night. Reply
Amy Foreman May 23, 2018 Well done, Lauren! It’s a trick to get it all to form sentences, but you did it easily, it appears! Thanks for trying this out! 🙂
Joe Spring July 12, 2018 I had to go find this one I wrote in 2016. “Afrikaners, Blacks, Coloureds Durbanites, English foreigners: Go, hate, in ‘justice’, kill, loot, mock!” No. Offer peaceful questions. Revise, share, teach. (Usually, violent wrath exposes young zeal.) Reply
Amy Foreman May 14, 2019 I hadn’t visited this page in quite some time, Joe, and just saw this poem! What a meaningful, well-written sentiment, even apart from the genius alphabetical line-up! Well-done! Reply
Rupert Palmer April 23, 2019 Azure breezes’ cadent dance Enters fire-gasping helm Inuring jousting knightly lance Mighty nimbuses of Pelm Quixotic rider, stallion tall, unreal Vanquish who’d exhaust your zeal! Reply
R Linelle G June 5, 2019 Tower in the East A bending cold darkness elongates forth Ghastly howls ignite jail’s kingdom Lightning mimics nearby onlookers Penitentiary Quakers, Reformatory Slammer Tuesday. Underground. Volatile “Willie”, XI yardbirds zip Reply
