WoPoLi

A Constraint Poem: Star Above

I don’t remember writing this one, nor do I remember the Constraint I used!

However, I can expand the poem with another constraint!

Oh Shining Star, When Life is Over,
Echoing from afar, Whoever they are,
Each Melodious Measure, for my Mother.
Spirit Arise, Pray—
Sorrow Wrote for us, far away.
Spirit arise, Lingering Mystery,
Together again, Star above.

Oh Echoing, each spirit, sorrow spirit—together,
Shining from melodious arise! Wrote—arise again!
Star afar, measure—Pray for us, lingering star.
When life is over, whoever they are,
For my Mother, far away—Mystery above.

Sarah B. Royal

The poetic constraint used in this poem is an acrostic structure — specifically, the first three words of each line spell out the phrases in the second half.
Each line begins intentionally with a capitalized word — Oh, Echoing, Each, Spirit, Sorrow, Spirit, Together — following acrostic constraint, additionally, the poem maintains a repetition of the constraint for the second and third lines in the second half with recurring phrases such as “When life is over” and “Whoever they are” in the fourth and fifth line of the second half, creating rhythmic and thematic unity.

In short, this poem demonstrates two overlapping constraints:

Acrostic constraint — using the first words of each line deliberately and repeating this by using the second and third word or word groups to make up the first three lines.

Repetitive phrase constraint — repeating the remaining phrases from the end of all the lines “for my Mother” and “Far away” etc. for structure and emphasis.

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About the Author: Sarah B. Royal

Sarah B. Royal’s writing defies convention. Her poetry and prose traverse the boundaries between structure and spontaneity, often weaving together philosophical inquiry, cultural reflection, and personal narrative. With a background in experimental literature, she is known for crafting works that challenge readers to engage intellectually and emotionally.

Her acclaimed palindrome performance play, 777 – A Story of Idol Worship and Murder, showcases her fascination with mirrored storytelling and thematic symmetry. In o x ∞ = ♥: The Poet and The Mathematician, Royal explores the intersection of poetic intuition and mathematical logic, revealing a unique voice that is both analytical and lyrical.

Royal’s collections—such as Lost in the Lost and Found, Haiku For You, Lantern and Tanka Too, and the WoPoLi Chapbook Series—highlight her commitment to neurodivergent expression and poetic experimentation. Whether through childhood verse or contemporary fusion poetry, her work invites readers into a world where language is both a tool and a playground.

Sarah B. Royal continues to expand the possibilities of poetic form, offering readers a deeply personal yet universally resonant experience. Her writing is a testament to the power of creative risk, intellectual depth, and emotional authenticity.

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