Acrostic Poem on the Russia-Ukraine War

An Introduction to Chinese Acrostic Poetry

Acrostic poetry is a distinctive form in classical Chinese literature. Its brilliance lies in the hidden message spelled out by the first characters of each line. These poems often carry coded emotions—blessings, protests, remembrance, or personal reflections. This form not only highlights the poet’s linguistic mastery but also invites readers to discover deeper meanings embedded within the lines.

Original Poem

（藏頭：「國家可悲世道無情」）

國際魍魎舞長袖

家園破碎戰不休

可歎螻蟻陷羅網

悲民跪索問天讎

世間繁華任水流

道盡滄桑烙新囚

無奈涕零獻和璧

情斷秋腸血淚流

English Translation

Demons in nations dance with sleeves so wide,

Homes lie in ruin, war cannot subside.

Alas, the helpless caught in cunning traps,

The people kneel, their pleas the heavens slap.

All worldly glory drifts like flowing tide,

Words mark the scars that history won’t hide.

With tears we offer peace that’s stripped of might,

Hearts torn, like autumn guts that bleed through night.

> (Note: The acrostic message "The Nation is Pitiful, the World Unjust" is hidden in the first characters of each line in the original Chinese.)

About the Poem

Written during the eruption of the Russia-Ukraine war, this acrostic poem mourns the suffering of civilians through the classical lens of Chinese poetry. Blending traditional imagery with modern conflict, the verses express the helplessness of both nation and people. The hidden line, “The Nation is Pitiful, the World Unjust,” reflects deep criticism and contemplation on the injustices of the era.

About the Author

A native of Anxi, Quanzhou, Fujian (China), now living in Taichung, Taiwan, Wang Ching-Yao is a passionate poet devoted to classical Chinese verse. Specializing in acrostic poems, Wang infuses current events and emotional depth into traditional forms. Through bilingual presentation, Wang aims to introduce Chinese literary elegance to a global audience.