Wedded To Acrostics (Acrostic Limerick)

I’ve never written an Acrostic poem before, let alone an Acrostic Limerick. But writing this was fun, in a mind-puzzle kind of way.

Now if I understand the basic acrostic rules, the first letter of each line must spell out whatever your poem is about. Acrostic Only has a lot more info and a generous assortment of acrostic prompts.

Wedded To Acrostics (Acrostic Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane

“Enlarging our guest list again?
Let me see it,” said bride-to-be Gwen.
“Oh no! What a slew!
Pa, this simply won’t do!
Eloping tomorrow, at ten.”

*****

Author’s Note: I updated this post to change line five’s first word from “Eloping” to “Escaping.” Any thoughts on which one is better? I can’t decide. Thanks!

Update: Thanks to feedback here and on Facebook, I changed it back to “Eloping” and also got rid of the bold first letters. Thanks everyone!

Update 2: I’ve changed the title, so as to not give the game away.

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33 Responses to “Wedded To Acrostics (Acrostic Limerick)”

  1. Brilliant. My Dad used to promise to hold the ladder while I climbed down it to elope!

  2. Loyd Dillon says:

    “Oh, passing the budget’s a JOB!
    Boehner is choosing to rob
    All the sick and/or poor
    Making rich ones yell ‘Score!’
    As he caves to the Tea Party mob.”

  3. andy sewina says:

    Nicely Mad! It’s got to be eloping! Or better still elope, and rewrite the end line. Personally I don’t like the bold lettering, I do a lot of acrostics and I think it’s more fun for people to discover the hidden word (s) than to highlight them.

  4. quilly says:

    I love the truth and whimsy in this poem. When we got married my (former) mate and I discussed all of the personalities that would be involved in a major wedding and eloped right then and there. We announced our marriage at our engagement party. Done deal. No stress.

  5. Gloria says:

    I think you should stay with elope, and you did a great job with it. :)

  6. Elope, dear lovers, elope. Most weddings are about the parading of the baggage of others rather than about the bride and groom. Elopement asserts the primacy of love. So cool.

  7. Amanda says:

    you did a wonderful job with this Mad you’re a natural!

  8. madkane says:

    Thanks so much everyone for your kind words, verse, and advice!

  9. Stan Ski says:

    Marriage guidance not my forte… so I’d say escaping… alone!

  10. Poetjanstie says:

    Such a neat idea, the acrostic. I came up with an acrostic, acronym(ic) signature haiku the other day, made, as the name suggests, from my initials. Possibly to use as a signature in my emails, but I felt it would make me a bit of a poser to use it. So, here it isn’t :-)

  11. Poetjanstie says:

    I preferred ‘Escaping’ for the last line; more subtle.

  12. Tilly Bud says:

    Clever and fun!

  13. Laurie Kolp says:

    Great job combining acrostic and limerick!

  14. thingy says:

    LOL. I think both work, but this is great. : )

  15. Elizabeth says:

    My older sister stepped in a bit late and planned her wedding two months before my own. Then at my wedding, my younger sister showed her new engagement ring to my father, informing him the date was set for six months later. He simply asked, “Didn’t any of you ever hear about ladders and windows and eloping?”

    Elizabeth

  16. barbara says:

    Nifty.
    I have seen these, but don’t know much about the conventions: is it necessary to give away the surprise with the title?

  17. pamela says:

    Eloping works quite well with this, Madeleine.
    I love acrostics, but an acrostic limerick, now that is something.
    Well done.

    Pamela

  18. Mike Patrick says:

    That inventive mind of yours is running amok. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

  19. Elaine Spall says:

    Oooo…I missed this yesterday. What fun. I’ll probably be up all night trying to come up with one of my own.

  20. madkane says:

    Thanks so much to all of you for your enthusiastic words!

    Barbara, I don’t know what the conventions are re acrostic titles. But I agree that my title spoils the surprise. So in the interest of discretion (and fun) I’ve changed my title. :)

    And speaking of fun, I had such a good time writing my first acrostic limerick, that I’ve just written another: Itching For Another Acrostic Limerick.

  21. versebender says:

    That was quite an effort….blending the rues for two formats and pulling it off with such aplomb. What’s next…one hand tied behind your back? Great! Vb

  22. Tumblewords says:

    Ah, what an effort this must have been – it turned out wonderfully well.

  23. madkane says:

    Thanks so much Versebender and Tumblewords!

  24. Write Girl says:

    Wonderful acrostic limerick. I like the dialgoue in this piece.

  25. brian says:

    ha. cute acrostic….hope dad does not own a shot gun…

  26. Deb says:

    Oh, the best kind of clever!

  27. madkane says:

    Thanks so much, everyone. Acrostic limericks are definitely a fun challenge.:)

  28. Lisa says:

    You did awesome.

    Lisa
    InspiredbyLisa

  29. madkane says:

    Thanks, Lisa!

  30. Patrice of the ManyCats says:

    Thought I’d try my hand at this – with mixed results, as far as content fitting acrostic :P

    Lights on, I’m awake through the night.
    Off, I whispered, You two, stop that fight!
    Very soon, bedroom door
    Edged a crack open: snore…
    Merry running to, fro: on came light,

    Yellow, bright. Heard my husband say, low,
    “Chey, it’s you! Abby, down: out you go…”
    As door closed, gave a wave
    To us all: hush, behave!
    …Such strong love for spouse, cats ~ I’m aglow :)

  31. madkane says:

    Good one, Patrice!