Back to Wakefulness

It is time to make a switch. I’m in the mood to write a series of acrostic poems. I’ve tackled the task before, but I would like to explore this style of poetry again. It fits my challenge to select different forms of poetry that start with a certain letter during the month. I selected the letter A for January. The acrostic poem has been around for centuries. The first record of the use of this style was in the prophecies of the Sibyl. Legend implies that these poems predict the Trojan War and other historical events. Samples of this poetry also were discovered at Pompeii. I am not hinting that I am writing prophetic poetry. I simply enjoy writing in this style. This acrostic poem is called Back to Wakefulness.

Definition of an acrostic poem and its relationship to  Back to Wakefulness

An acrostic poem starts when the poet uses the first letter of each line of verse to form a word, phrase, or sentence. The poem deals with the subject of the letters selected to form a stream of thought. The poem doesn’t have any rules concerning meter or rhythm. A poet may try to do both, but there is no rule regarding how the poem should be formed, except the first letter of each line must have a special meaning.

Back to Wakefulness 

Before examining this piece of poetry
And counting syllables, metered rhythm of verse 
Can we please remember how hard it is to see
Kindness when looking at life driving in reverse

To many hasty words written that wasn’t nice 
Outward presentation audacious but unclean

Wakefulness can become a courageous vice
And truth-telling becomes silly, somber, and mean
Keepsake taken by a clumsy kleptomaniac
Evasive stealthy stealer of slim willful words
Fearful of traveling the long dusty road back
Uncover emotions sitting like tiny birds
Lazily sunning on a live electric wire
Nestled safely in the arms of unrelenting grace
Essence of becoming brilliantly wide awake
Saturated glimpses of sanity can place
Sacred reminders of a promising daybreak

Who is Molly Shea?

Molly Shea is an accomplished fictional short story writer from Indiana who writes short stories and novels about a fictional town called Tecumseh.  To read more of her short stories and adventures, click here.

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