Spectator competition winners: acrostic politicians

The latest challenge called for an acrostic poem about a politician in which the first letter of each line spells the name of that politician. While most of you set your sights on modern-day notables, David Silverman (as well as his poignant prizewinning haiku) submitted a nice double-dactylic portrait of Caesar Augustus. Here’s an extract:

Cheesius Maximus: Augustus Caesar Empowered the People and Senate of Rome. Annexed Hispania; Raided North Africa; Authoritarian — Unless at home…

It was a creditable performance all round, but Ian Barker earns an honourable mention and the winners below take £20.

David Silverman Joyless autumn day: Falling like cherry blossom, Killed from grassy knoll

Sylvia Fairley Jacob, no one doubts you’re very grand — A guide to style? Let’s ‘meet with’ words you’ve       banned, Condemned as ‘unacceptable’ and dire: Oikish ‘Mr’ — always use ‘Esquire’, Before this, let me say ‘I’m pleased to learn’ Reports that claim you’ve ‘noted my concern’, Especially as we’ve ‘got’ to ‘ascertain’ Each reference to Queen Victoria’s reign. So could you help us to communicate? My doubts are leading me to ‘speculate’ On Oxford commas, and imperial weight.