The term THEY CAN BE SAPPHIC can be solved by the crossword solution ODES, which stands for 'Odes of Sappho'. Odes of Sappho are a collection of ancient Greek lyric poems written by the poet Sappho in the 6th century BC. The poems are often written in the form of odes, which are lyrical poems that express strong emotion and admiration. They are considered some of the earliest surviving examples of Western literature.