Junior Ranger Challenge -- Find the Hidden Words

Dear Ranger-in-Training,

Congratulations on completing your first challenges! But your job isn't done yet.

At the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, visitors count on us to know about the many stories and poems that Edgar Allan Poe wrote. One of my favorite poems is called "An Acrostic" because it has a hidden word in it. The first letter of each line spells out a name.

Edgar Allan Poe's wife Virginia wrote an acrostic poem to her husband on Valentine's Day in 1846. Now it is your turn to find the hidden words in Virginia's poem to finish the Junior Ranger Challenge training program.

Your friend,
Ranger Renee

 

Your mission: Find the hidden name in Virginia Poe's poem

 

Directions

1. Look carefully at the poem below.
2. On a piece of paper, write down the first letter of each line.
3. The letters spell out a name. Write down this name.

 

Virginia Poe's Poem to Her Husband

Ever with thee I wish to roam -
Dearest my life is thine.
Give me a cottage for my home
And a rich old cypress vine,
Removed from the world with its sin and care
And the tattling of many tongues.
Love alone shall guide us when we are there -
Love shall heal my weakened lungs;
And Oh, the tranquil hours we'll spend,
Never wishing that others may see!
Perfect ease we'll enjoy, without thinking to lend
Ourselves to the world and its glee -
Ever peaceful and blissfull we'll be.

 

BONUS! Write YOUR own acrostic poem

1. On a piece of paper, write down the name of someone in your family (pets count as family!).
2. Write a poem where each line begins with a letter in that person's (or pet's) name.

Looking for examples? Check out the Junior Ranger Challenge Photo Gallery.