52 weeks + 52 prompts = 52 poems |
The Alphabestiary, Poetry Form The Alphabestiary a type of Acrostic or more specifically an Alphabet poem, which dates back to Greece in the 2nd and 3rd centuries but truly came into its own in medieval England. There is no required line length, meter, or rhyme scheme. The only requirement is that each letter of the alphabet is described poetically as an animal or in human terms. Example: Lions, Tigers, and Bears by Tinker Alluring Abalone, Mother of Pearl, sea's acclaim Bright Bluebirds, happiness chortling a song, Chirping Cicada, singing its way to fame, Dramatic Dolphins sleek and strong. Energetic Elands roam plains and plateaus, grazing in peace or running from foes. Freaky frogs freely hop round bog, Great Gulls, fearless flying in fog. Hovering Hummingbirds, still in mid-air Irritated Iguana hisses to scare. Jiggly Jellyfish grace with a sting, Krikey Koalas climb trees and cling. Lithe Leopard, spots disguise the wise, Mama Manatee's girth, a sea cow's worth, Nature's Nightingales serenade 'til sunrise. Odd Ostrich, buries head in earth Picky Penguins mate for life Quick Quagga, extinct and can't find a wife. Raped Rhinoceros horns make thieves prosperous, Slick Sea lions slip away from seas phosphorous. Theatrical Toucan bright yellow and green, Unseen Unicorn, fabled protector queen Venatic Vulture, carrion, seeking dead, Watchful Whale nurses, mother-child bond, Xanthic Xoni's horn frozen to Pakistani pond. Youthful yapok, black and white striped head, Zealous Zopilote, black bird of dread. For more information: https://www.poetrymagnumopus.com/topic/1249-alphabestiary/ ▼ Poem should be inspired by the prompt/image in some way A minimum of 12 lines, no maximum, if the prompt is a form, follow form rules. Your submission must be newly written for this week's prompt |