Bletting ... Plant

Today's word is "bletting" ... The ripening of fruit, especially of fruit stored until the desired degree of softness is attained. (dictionary.com)

Plant
Reading in fall sunshine,
ideas begin bletting like tomatoes on a sill.
They come in quick succession.
Then, the realization ... they may
not be new. At all. In fact, they may
have been, and probably were, in
a thousand minds, in a thousand places
before mine. And with much greater impact, too.
On the world. But, just suppose (for fun),
that a particular thought has not been
formed in quite the same way before.
And that the thinking, and then the speaking
begin a very small ripple. That grows.
And becomes the thing that makes
a little change in someone. And
they influence someone else. And so on.
Perhaps, the little thought seed really
could go 'round the world. And blossom
into a giant  tree, where birds could
nest and sing and make a fall day
feel like spring.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Rapt ... Hello?

Today's word is "rapt" ... deeply engrossed or absorbed: a rapt listener. (dictionary.com)

Hello?
The nine-year-olds were engrossed
in their game. Paying rapt attention.
No amount of cajoling could get
them to turn their heads. But my
little painting had gone missing,
set down in a moment of confusion.
So I enlisted help. "Whoever finds
the painting gets a dollar!"
Two heads whipped up in unison.
What? Where? How big ... Amazing!
Their hearing restored as if by miracle!
But their mother found it. And
made nothing at all.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Osculate ... Calm

Today's word is "osculate" ... OS-kyuh-leyt ... to kiss; to bring into close contact or union.

Calm
A swoop of gulls lands on the sandy shore.
In unison they face out to the lake and drink,
like bobble-head birds in a long car window.
The lake whispers this late august night,
the sun obscured by low-slung clouds ...
mere minutes remain until it osculates the horizon
and sinks completely out of sight.
A lone swimmer floats calmly on her back,
her slight hand movements keeping her on the surface.
A bride in her gown, wet from the water,
Works her way up the dune from a photo shoot.
We joke her many pictures will end up in
A cardboard box someday, as ours have.
The air cools. We blend into our sweatshirts.
Childrens' voices drift down from the swings
and slides where they are slaying dragons.
Last days of summer hold a special magic,
their last breath a peace and a comfort.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Sweven ... See

Today's word is "Sweven" ... SWEV-uhn ... A vision; a dream. (dictionary.com)

See

Where are the prophets who speak truth ...

   whose lips burn with the words of God?

Where are the ones who define our time,

     defy evil and challenge the status quo?

Where is the line between light and dark,

     the demarcation that gives us clarity?

Where do we find  the reason to carry on

     in faith, the Sweven of peace?

God's kingdom is not of this world,

     yet comes and goes with us.

We must become the vision and the peace;

    we have been entrusted with its coming.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Pulchritudinous ... Short

 Today's word is "pulchritudinous" ... Pahl-kri-TOOD-n-uhs ... physically beautiful; comely. (Dictionary.com)

Short
This summer, though pulchritudinous,
Was short on sun and heat,
It seems that spring, chased it in,
Late, on tired feet.

Layered we walked along the shore,
Fighting wind and sand,
Waiting for a warming spell,
To energize the land.

But now the air is cooling fast,
And little leaves are falling,
Through the graying of the sky,
Geese formed in vees are calling.

We'll soak up the last of summer's rays,
And try to stop the hours,
Though we know that soon we'll walk,
Through ice and snowy showers.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Rusticate ... Wildlife

Today's word is "rusticate" ... RUHS-ti-keyt ... To go to the country. (dictionary.com)

Wildlife

I think I'd like to stay awhile,

Far inside a wood,

Smell the flowers, walk for hours,

I think maybe I should.

But then I think of what I saw,

On Facebook just today,

A bear was running near my home.

I am filled with much dismay!

So instead of rusticating,

In some lonely spot,

I think I'd rather move someplace,

Where the bear is not!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Ethos ... Group-think

Today's word is "ethos" ... EE-thos ...the character or disposition of a community, group, person, etc.

Group-think

What kind of ethos is it,

That makes excuses for,

The cruel ones who have not yet,

Made it to our door?

What will we ever learn from

Analysis mistaken,

Ignoring facts and warnings ...

Our rationality's been taken.

We need truth to rule the day,

And goodness here to win,

For God to reign right in us.

On him our hopes we'll pin.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Crinose ... Legs

Today's word is "crinose" ... Hairy. (dictionary.com)

Legs

She saw it crawling on her arm,

It was crinose and scary,

She was driving at the time,

Which made her extra wary.

With a scream, she stopped the car,

Jumped out and started brushing,

The spider flew into the air,

And she resumed her rushing.

In moments of great fear and stress,

Sometimes the best we do,

Is scream and run in circles,

Pout, dance around and stew!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Raze ... Lurk

Today's word is "raze" ... To tear down; demolish; level to the ground. 

Lurk

Must we watch as nations prove

That history will itself repeat?

If lessons hard remain unlearned,

And open eyes will not truth meet?

It seems so clear, yet power and might, 

Weave certainly an evil spell,

To raze, and kill and then rebuild,

Though by it, all great nations fell.

And the fallen, from their graves,

Would what to us, this moment say?

That we should pray and watch the walls,

To prevent the same end to our play?

If evil is allowed its sway,

And men of conscience do not act,

The tale's all's told. (See nations past.)

Our end will surely prove the fact.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Cherry-pick ... Fight

Today's word is "cherry-pick" ... to select with great care (dictionary.com)

Fight

Funny how in conflict,

Each person's point-of-view,

Is supported by the way they choose,

The facts they want to use.

You can surely build a case,

For what you might believe,

By cherry-picking evidence,

With which your points to weave.

But in the information web,
There is truth to be found,

And someone of impartial mind,

Must cause it to resound.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Flibbertigibbet ... Halls

Today's word is "flibbertigibbet" ... FLIB-er-tee-jib-it ... archaic. A gossip; a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. (Dictionary.com)

Halls
In austere academia,
Where words and numbers rule,
You must mind certain "p's" and "q's"
Or end cornered on a stool.

Flibbertigibbets are not allowed,
Nor qualify for classes,
Those not in the know will surely
Go the way of old hall passes.

So if you're thinking to pursue,
A subject deemed most daunting,
Remember to stay on your toes,
To prevent your cruel taunting.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Singulatus ... Change

Today's word is "singultus" ... Sing-GUHL-tuhs. Medical. A hiccup

Change
Putting new pieces into place
Sometimes seems so strange,
As familiar steps are stripped,
In this unfamiliar race.

In between all these good things,
Lie chaos and high tension,
There may be a singulatus,
As to habits old we cling.

Patience here is often key,
To sooth away the sadness,
As patterns start to crumble ...
And fears just will not flee.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Votive ... Light

Today's word is "votive" ... Offered, given dedicated, etc., in accordance with a vow: a votive offering.

Light
Votived saints, long-lived within constraints
and by traditions bound; watch, as holiness
falls in and around empty spaces.

Despite the imperfections that they know abound,
among the people and among themselves,
Spirit breathes softly, breaking in once more.
It goes, as the wind, where it wills, enabled by those
self-same ones who are not sure of their
own sanctity or redemption.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Ameslan ... Signs

Today's word is Ameslan ... AM-slan ... American Sign Language. (dictionary.com)


Sign
It seems sometimes that it would be,
A better thing to see,
Someone speaking without sound,
Than screaming in mad glee.

The uncommon language, Ameslan,
Is beautiful in form,
As a dance of varied notes,
Shaped with expressive hand.

Few would choose this mode of speech,
Yet in its purest form,
It lingers in the eye and heart,
Like sunset on a beach.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014l

Cacography ... Chisel

Today's word is "cacography" ... (kuh-KOG-ruh-fee) ... Poor penmanship; bad handwriting. (Dictionary.com)

Chisel
Once Moses went upon the mount,
To see the face of God,
When he came back, he carried words,
Of which God was the fount.

The rules were clear. Ten in all,
Brought back on heavy stone.
They were not cacographical,
To cause us thus to fall.

The Isrealites were having fun.
No time for God's commands,
And thus their ruin and ours as well,
If we from his wisdom run.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Fink ... Crime

Today's word is "fink" ... Slang. to inform to the police; squeal. (dictionary.com)

Crime

Gangsters do not like them, 

Nor do criminals on trial,

But the finks who turn them in,

Must think it worth their while.

Usually the guilty ones,

Deny all that is said,

And the ones who turn them in,

Wind up as good as dead.

I'm glad I only see these things,

In movies or on T.V.,

The real thing would be scary,

Of that, I'm glad I'm free.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Serein ... Cry

Today's word is "serein" ... suh-RAN ... meteorology. fine rain falling after sunset from a sky in which no clouds are visible. (dictionary.com)

Cry
Tears like a serein,
Fall from eyes overwhelmed,
Then, are dried by hope.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Philology ... Nope

Today's word is "philology" ... first-LOL-uh-jee ... Obsolete. the love of learning and literature. (dictionary.com)

Nope
Watching interviews on beaches,
There are no correct answers to the questions.
There is, apparently no philology within
     the sphere of their beings.
Even the most basic facts are a mystery
     to them. Let alone the shape of the universe.
And in their silliness and ignorance
     they laugh. Blissfully unaware that
          they might have been part of the resolution
                 of all things.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Desiderium ... Restore

Today's word is "desiderium" ... des-I-DEER-ee-hum ... an ardent longing, as for something lost.

(dictionary.com)

Restore

Here in the quiet, as I read,

I can almost convince myself of this,

That the world has no startling need,

Of councelors or peaceful seeds.

But as soon as cabled heads,

Begin to speak of worldly news,

I realize that in my bed's

The only place without deep dread.

It's no wonder some are speaking,

Of the end of all things good,

From this desiderium peeking,

We are something ethereal seeking.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Brusque ... Days

Today's word is "brusque" ... abrupt in manner; blunt; rough: a brusque welcome greeted his unexpected return.

Days
We arrive here with a brusque pat and a cry,
And each moment is spent making sense of our days,
And the days are strung together with sighs,
And in the end there're no answers for whys.

So as we make our way 'round in this night,
We'll be crying and laughing and praying throughout,
And some will rely on God's strength and his might,
Knowing they're outclassed by the size of the fight.

Within the sanctity of that embrace,
Enveloped, protected and challenged to grow,
The loved one, enabled, each trouble can face,
With some sort of happiness, humor and grace.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Cat's-paw ... Obey

The word of the day is "cat's-paw" ... A person used to serve the purposes of another; tool. (dictionary.com)

Obey

In every movie that I see,

It seems there's someone bad,

And in his wake, pitter pattering,

A cat's-paw with secrets clad.

Why is it that the famous ones,

Or dangerous ones with power,

Must have minions who carry out,

Their plans as they sneer and glower?

In this real life that we all live,

We need to stay aware,

To balance off the evil ones,

With love and ceaseless care.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Equanimity ... Stay

Today's word is "equanimity" ... mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium.

Stay 

See the world around,

Strain for equanimity,

Hold onto the light.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Slipshod ... Work

Today's word is "slipshod" ... careless, untidy, or slovenly: slipshod work. (dictionary.com)

Work

When I look around my house,

At the chaos I've created,

I wonder what someone else would think,

And how they would grade or rate it.

This sense that I'm not adequate,

To organize my housework,

Was handed down from relatives,

Who would not their own, shirk.

But topsey turvey as it is,

With slipshod results apparent,

The mess is balanced by the art,

Which gives my hours merit.

So despite the guilty feelings,

This lack of order does portray,

I guess I'll just content myself,

With how I chose to spend my day.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Klatsch ... Cozy

Today's word is "klatsch" a casual gathering of people, especially for refreshments and informal conversation: a sewing klatsch. (Dictionary.com)

Cozy

Don't you love to get far away,

For a long weekend or a day,

Spend time with friends at some retreat,

With pines or beach or mountain reach?

There's nothing like a klatsch of those,

Who care not about your smarts or clothes,

Whose love doesn't rely on status,
Whose bold gifts are given, gratis.

If you should be so fortunate,
To have these people given by fate,
Thank the God who watches o're us,
For giving them into your trust.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Camelopard ... Walls

Today's word is "camelopard" ... kuh-MEL-uh-phard ... Archaic. a giraffe.

Walls
If you go to a nearby zoo,
You might see a beast or two,
A camelopard or elephant.
Or birds with beaks most strangely bent.

Anyway, this variety,
Creates a strange society,
Creatures who'd like to eat their neighbor,
No matter the current flavor.

When we look over our fences,
I'd like to think we'd keep our senses,
That our neighbors could safely rest,
Not watch for uninvited guests.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Taradiddle ... Hmmm

Today's word is "taradiddle" ... a small lie; fib. pretentious nonsense. (Dictionary.com)

Hmmm

Just a little taradiddle,

Then you're caught right in the middle,

Between what you have said,

And what is true.

The only way to stop this madness,

Is with some regret and sadness,

To fess up and promise never,

To say those things again.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Bugbear ... Stay

Today's word is "bugbear" ... any source, real or imaginary, of needless fright or fear. (dictionary.com)

Stay

In the night, when all is dark,

And help is far away,

The things that scare us seem more real,

Than in the light of day.

But a bugbear is a trick,

It's fearsomeness untrue,

Our minds will fabricate its shape,

To match our point of view.

So when you feel the trembling start,

And think that danger's near,

Breathe into the love of God,

Until peace reappears.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Lambent ... Early

Today's word is "lambent" ... Dealing lightly and gracefully with a subject; brilliantly playful: lambent wit. 2. running or moving lightly over a surface: lambent tongues of flame. 3. softly bright or radiant: a lambent light. (dictionary.com)

Early
Sharp-edged dune grass beckons,
Clouds break to blue sky,
A lambent breeze plays over waves,
And day begins.

Gulls cry their presence,
Terns zip through wet sand,
Early beachers head shoreward,
To their peace.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Rimple ... Try

Today's word is "rimple" ... To wrinkle; crumple; crease. (Dictionary.com)

Try

It would be nice to reach perfection,

And have no rimple, dent or crack.

To shine as brightly as the sun does,

Knowing not a speck of lack.

But in this world of ceaseless growing,

We're delt a different sort of hand,

And must work for each improvement,

'Til we can in wholeness stand.

So as we strive to become good,

And follow what dim light we see,

It would be helpful to remember,

Only in God's hand lies sanctity.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Interrobang ... What?

Today's word is "interrobang" ... a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question. Also, interabang.  (Dictionary.com)

What?
The crazy mark, interrobag,
Might be used precisely,
To emphasize the miracles,
Jesus performed so nicely,

Awe and wonder were his trade,
Whenever he went out,
All were healed and challenged,
And responded, without doubt.

If he walked the streets today,
I wonder if we'd see,
That every single thing he taught,
Is what we ought to be?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014







Sent from my iPhone

Gloaming ... Gift

Today's word is "gloaming" ... GLOH-ming ... Twilight; dusk. 

Gift

When you're traveling in the gloaming,

You may not discern your way,

As dark and storm and starless night,

And chaos make you pray.

But don't lose heart, as your small part,

Is just to keep on going,

Rest in the thought that all is well,

Despite missteps and groanings.

Within great power invisible,

Each step is traced by watchful eye,

Your life, as lived, is saved by grace,

Though you question how or why.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014