An acrostic poem is one that—if you read the first letter in every line—spells out a word. Reading an acrostic, think of yourself as a detective, decoding a message hidden within a poem. Take a look at the following poem I wrote:

ovulating moon pulls the tide close, while
crabs dive under sandy covers, where
empty shells echo loneliness, when
a wave lifts green-gold chains, which are
necklaces tempting me to wade ever deeper

The first word of each line spells out the word “ocean,” which is exactly what this poem is about. Favored by schoolteachers helping students write their first poems, acrostics are fun and easy. Pick a word, any word, then spell it out through poetry.

It’s certain to be a delight to decode. If you want to send your acrostic efforts to us, our e-mail is citruslit@yahoo.com. Don’t forget to include your name, a way to contact you and how you are associated with Citrus College. -Sarah Torribio

Symphony

Sadness swallowed me whole
You came and saved my soul
Month is but a turn of moon
Promises that it is soon
Hope that it shall be our fate
Only eternity to wait
Never thought it could be, now look,
You and me

—Patricia Ferrier

Romance

Reaching for my perfume
Overwhelmed with anticipation
My heart all afluttered
All night I waited for love
Night came and left, and came again
Chasing after a love to make me whole. Finally,
Ecstasy came from within

—Desiree Smith

Faith

Falling but he will lift you up
At bended knee, he will lift you up
It only takes a prayer
To reach up and feel him there
Have faith

—Heather Baumann

Litrus

Like-minded individuals
Insightful and aloof
Together forming beauty with
Rough hands, rays of sunbright
Underneath their shining
Smiles that prove love is mine

—Anthony Garcia

Faith

Fighting to believe the right prevails
Assuring myself it is the law of the land
Indignant and angry, losing faith
Throwing tantrums, seeking the secret of
Hope and vindication

—Desiree Smith

Broken Heart

Battered and bruised soul was left
Reckless in torture from the final call
Only one man had the power to break it
King of hearts, he shall take it
Even though our love was pure
Nothing could have stopped his other love interest to appear

He now wraps his arms about her heart
Eventually falling in her heart and out of mine
Aching fro the healing scars
Running from a broken heart
This broken heart will heal, hopefully in time before another love meal

—Heather Baumann

Night Sky

never mind that
ignorance is bliss—
get me a damn telescope!
help me see,
truly, why the superdome

sky glitters with stringless
kites, why
yesterday's lights inspire tonight's kisses

—Sarah Torribio

Love Song

Little enough has been said
Of those left standing when the
Vulture that is love would have
Eaten the very valves of our hearts.

Survivors, we are, and though
Our wounded memories bleat and
Neigh, we silence them, hush, and
Go again in search of blissful touch.

—Sarah Torribio