An acrostic (from the late Greek akróstichon, from ákros, "top", and stíchos, "verse") is a poem or other form of writing in an alphabetic script, in which the first letter, syllable or word of each line, paragraph or other recurring feature in the text spells out a word or a message. As a form of constrained writing, an acrostic can be used as a mnemonic device to aid memory retrieval. A famous acrostic was made in Greek for the acclamation JESUS CHRIST, GOD'S SON, SAVIOUR which in Greek is: Iesous KHristos, THeou Uios, Soter (kh and th being each one letter in Greek and u is also y). The initials spell IKHTHUS same as Ichthys, Greek for fish; hence the frequent use of the fish by early Christians and up to now as a symbol for Jesus Christ.
Acrostics may simply spell out the letters of the alphabet in order. These acrostics occur in the Lamentations of Jeremiah, and in Psalms 9,10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119 and 145 of the Hebrew Bible. Notable among the acrostic Psalms are the long Psalm 119, which typically is printed in subsections named after the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, each of which is featured in that section; and Psalm 145 (commonly referred to as "Ashrei"), which is recited three times a day in the Jewish services.
The ease of detectability of an acrostic can depend on the intention of its creator. In some cases an author may desire an acrostic to have a better chance of being perceived by an observant reader, such as the acrostic contained in the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (where the key capital letters are decorated with ornate embellishments), or as in the poem To Doctor Empiric (by Ben Jonson) which is a verse outlined after the word W-O-L-F giving emphasis to, and capitalizing the key letters so such acrostic is relatively easier to discern. However, acrostics may also be used as a form of steganography, where the author seeks to conceal the message rather than proclaim it. This might be achieved by making the key letters uniform in appearance with the surrounding text, or by aligning the words in such a way that the relationship between the key letters is less obvious. This is referred to as null ciphers in steganography, using the first letter of each word to form a hidden message in an otherwise innocuous text. Using letters to hide a message, as in acrostic ciphers, was popular during the Renaissance, and could employ various different methods of enciphering, such as selecting other letters than initials based on a repeating pattern ( equidistant letter sequences), or even concealing the message by starting at the end of the text and working backwards. (Source: Wikipedia, "Acrostic")
The “serana” is an acrostic poem that is oratorical in nature, which means, it has to be delivered aloud. It is a poem outlined after the letters of a name of the person of tribute or outlined after the letters of words or phrases or name of things, plants or animals. Example is "Serana to WARREN EDWARD BUFFETT, CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, THE ORACLE OF OMAHA, THE HUMBLEST MAN IN THE WORLD," for a phrase, or "Serana to STONE," for a thing, or "Serana to FISH," for an animal. It is composed of epigrams in iambic pentameter with couplet rhyme patterns. The poem may end in heroic couplet or poetic triplet (tercet). The "serana" is the highest form of literary tribute given to a person traditionally to commemorate the day of birth. It is also considered as a literary apotheosis to a living or dead person. It depicts the best qualities of the person of tribute. It tries to capture the greatness of the person in terms of his/her humanity; his/her contribution to the enrichment of the human spirit; his/her achievements in life with the material and immaterial wealth that he/she acquired in his/her lifetime.
Author: David G Serana
Email: david@serana.com
Serana to WARREN EDWARD BUFFETT,
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY, THE ORACLE OF OMAHA,
THE HUMBLEST MAN IN THE WORLD
I
What wealth is greater than deserving it?
A measure of life’s worth, a scale to fit
Reflect the story of the humblest man
Replete with virtues wished by every one
Endeared for ultimate significance
No one compares, his life is not by chance
II
Endowed with mind that sees beyond the sight
Dared since his youth the dauntless rise to height
Where dream is led by wisdom and the heart
Aims highest where good sense does not depart
Rough times are where his tested strength builds in
Decides with faith and prudence to begin
III
Bear peerless virtue of frugality
Unrivalled customs of simplicity
For his heart’s wealth and true magnificence
Fetched man’s welfare to great munificence
Elect the world to be the better place
To give man’s full enlightenment a space
The Truth and Light to shine from heaven’s grace
IV
Created possibilities unseen
High rationality, men have not been
A mighty mind that cannot fail and tire
Inspire the youth and dream’s immortal fire
Rise to become imagination’s peak
Mount Everest a Man! So grand yet meek!
A grandeur unmolested by no pride
No ostentation, no pretense to hide
V
A richer man than all his wealth combined
Name and stature, fine character defined
Does heaven’s honor, vanity confined
VI
Crown is flamboyant as true ornament
His humbleness is unstained sacrament
I wrote and yet to write the noblest rhyme
Extol his meekness, worthy and sublime
Forever to be known beyond our time
VII
Each admiration versed into this song
Xylophones, drums, trumpets; softly along
Ensemble of hymns for a humble birth
Celebrate a life that touched lives on earth
Unheard music be played for unheard praise
To honor him that caused our hearts to raise
Inspiring dreams and goals for everyone
Visions to care, sustain and uplift man
Enduring life with great things he has done
VIII
Odes of tribute spoken for him to hear
For his life is sun that shines far and near
For many known impossibilities
In dreams he works and makes realities
Creates his way a shining light to see
Each goal as part of mankind’s destiny
Revive heart’s burning fire in you and me
IX
Our living treasure of posterity
From this age be known beyond memory
X
Be known a fortune more than worldly wealth
Envy no sight but immaterial health
Reared by fine virtues years cannot deface
Key to true riches is to live in grace
Simplicity is perfect in his ways
His modesty shall shine in all his days
In such magnificent humility
Respect for him deserves the royalty
Earth’s humblest man is his identity
XI
How can a man be richer than his wealth?
An honest man who does not work in stealth
That deals in righteous Light and higher cause
He who upholds the fair Truth; win or loss
Accepts the universal rule of life
Wisdom is power to overcome strife
Attain the core of knowledge; king of all
Yes rise and to be wiser not to fall
XII
True incarnation of free enterprise
He moves by wisdom, faith; not by surprise
Ensure gains; protect growth, and stabilize
XIII
Ocean of God’s kindness, stays deep and wide
Roar soft winds to Earth, human pain subside
Anointed White Whale, steward of the deep
Cultivate ocean’s bounty, Earth to keep
Live among us; you prophecy, fulfilled!
Each hope to wish comes true; your fate has willed
XIV
Outstanding victory! Bliss every one!
Faith in the human goodness we have won!
XV
Our honor for you is to honor live
More for this planet; to get less than give
A part of you in us; you lead us there
Heaven on earth; selfless sharing is fair
A life of kindness is true wealth to share
XVI
Take us into the Eden of your mind
How poverty of virtues makes men blind
Entrust life’s bequest; insights rare to find
XVII
Hail man of virtues! No words thus express!
Unspoken awe profused; in hearts impress
More praises in the mind to think than thought
Be found the epitome our age has sought!
Laurels for your head; simplest offering
Each man and woman in this world will bring
Spring inspirations; pure hearts overflow
To keep your legacy; in us to grow
XVIII
Man is God’s perfect form; God’s highest thought
Archetype existence consciousness sought
No life is not destined; all fates are wrought
XIX
In you lies Grace, Almighty to be known
New savior of our time; your kindness shown
XX
The light that shines brightest comes from the heart
Humankind is universe’s sole part
Earth and man; is God’s only living art
XXI
Warren; named with the stars, God’s ordained name!
Our mind; enkindle, with your wisdom’s flame
Reveal your vision; mission to embark
Light is your life; light our hope in the dark
Darkness and heart’s fears dispelled by your spark!
