Flapdragon ... Shhhhhhh!

Today's word is "flapdragon" ... An old game in which the players snatch raisins, plums, etc., out of burning brandy, and eat them. The object so caught and eaten. (Dictionary.com)

Shhhhhhh!!!

Talking heads

Wouldn't be so bad, and

They wouldn't make me sad,

If they'd not all speak at once.

But when the insults start to fly,

Hot as flapdragons from their faces,

And each one thinks that he's the aces,

I'd rather run and hide.

So, I will take my chances,

That my brain can figure out,

Without the screaming or the shouts,

The issues of the day.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Evanesce

Today's "evanescence" ... ev-uh-NES ... to disappear gradually; vanish; fade away. (dictionary.com)

Cold
One day this chill will dissapear,
Carried by the wind away,
Snow will evanescence in sun,
Beams and warmth will stay.

The cold creates a family,
Out of frozen friends,
We have this common season,
Which we know will end.

So steadfastly, on we'll go,
Despite our suffering,
Remembering that the hope we have,
Will patience to us bring.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Mirth ... Immerse

Today's word is "mirth" ...gaiety or jollity, especially when accompanied by laughter: the excitement and mirth of the holiday season. (dictionary.com)

Immerse

Watch how little children play,

With gaiety and mirth,

In the moment, all is well,

They give it all it's worth.

There is nothing but the game,

As far as they can tell,

A good philosophy, I think,

For us grown-ups as well!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Vinous ...

Today's word is "vinous" ... VAHY-nuhs ... of, resembling or containing wine. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of wine: a vinous fragrance. produced by, indicative of, or given to indulgence in wine. Wine-red; wine-colored: a vinous hue. (dictionary.com)

Wake-up

The morning sky reveals,

through vinous clouds and sun,

newly pillowed earth.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Frenetic ... Divide

Today's word is "frenetic" ... fruh-NET-ik ... frantic, frenzied. (dictionary.com).

Divide

The new year is just visible;

     the frenetic pace of Yuletide 

          is slowing.

In these moments in between

     the old and new,

Our minds roll through the

     pictures in our heads of

          what has been.

We evaluate them one by one,

     wondering if our choices 

           were the best we could have made,

Yet knowing we are never truly

     perfect in our decisions.

And that those made without the

     wisdom of God, have been made

          in the vain madness of our own arrogance.

Maybe this new year will bring the 

      humbleness that leads to truth,

            and we will make friends with

                  our reason and our faith.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Moose milk ... Food

Today's word is " moosemilk" ... Canadian. homemade or bootleg whiskey. a cocktail of whiskey or rum and milk. (dictionary.com)

Food
No cheesecake or wine so rare,
No moosemilk or fine coffee,
No cheese from France or chocolate,
No peppermint or toffee,
Can offer satisfaction like
The knowledge of the sages,
Which fills the mind and soothes the soul,
When with it one engages.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Christmastide ... Chosen

Today's word is "Christmastide" ... 1. the festival season from Christmas to after New Year's Day. 2. the period from Christmas Eve to Epiphany, especially in England.

Chosen
The baby's mangered now,
The shepherds back at work,
The Angels gone to glory,
The world remains berserk.

But Christmastide goes on,
Calling us to peace,
Asking the impossible ...
Joy without relief.

We live through our days,
Bathed in a love unseen,
Salvation's Word inhaled,
Breathed in this inbetween.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Consanguinity ... Noel

Today's word is "consanguinity" ... kon-sang-GWIN-I-tee ... 1. close relationship or connection. 2. relationship by decent from a common ancestor; kinship (distinguished from affinity). (dictionary.com)

Noel
This is the evening when we find,
The truth of all our worshiping,
Of Jesus, Savior, Lord of all,
And our consanguinity in him.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Viridescent ... White

Today's word is "viridescent" ... Slightly green; greenish. (Dictionary.com)

White
Snow is finally coming,
It's been slow this year,
But it's in time for Christmas,
Bringing its own brand of cheer.

Fireplaces make more sense,
When there's cold to chase away,
And sleds and skis can reappear,
To invigorate the day.

Virdescent trees will pop,
Against the whitened gleam.
And cardinals on their rounds will go,
Like beads in a silvered dream.

Add some sleigh bells and a carol,
A manger filled with hay,
A star of wonder and you'll know,
The savior's on his way.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Rubricate ... Words

Today's word is "rubricate" ... ROO-bri-keyt ... To mark or color with red. To furnish with or regulate by rubrics. (dictionary.com)

Words
If there should be a place,
Where wisdom could be found,
Would you with eagerness pursue,
Or by fear and faithlessness be bound?

If all the words went on and on, 
Rubricated here and there,
(With design to give you hope)
Would you think that more than fair?

Then find the book and read,
All the words which you there find,
They will teach and help you cope,
And sooth your soul and mind.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Edutainment ... Watch

Today's word is "edutainment" ... Ej-oo-TEYN-muhnt ... Television programs, movies, books, etc., that are both educational and entertaining, especially those intended primarily for children in the elementary grades. (dictionary.com)

Watch
I like to watch the penguins,
Seals and killer whales,
I like to see the giant fish,
Spin and twirl and sail,
I like to find out everything,
About their way of life,
What they eat and how they sleep,
And react to strife.

This edutainment is just great,
I learn and I have fun!
It's better than a classroom,
Wondering when we will be done.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Larrikin ... Blues

Today's word is "larrikin" ... LAR-i-kin ... Adjective: disorderly;rowdy. Noun: a street rowdy; hoodlum.

Blues

Calling all larrikins and rascals,

This may be your time to act,

Everyone is stirred up,

Despite reviews and facts.

Where has law and order gone

And where is common sense?

There are victims everywhere,

And so, the times are tense.

Who determines right and wrong?
Who holds the justice scales?
Confusion reigns in corners, strained,
As traditions fold and flail.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Mysophobia ... Uh-oh!

Today's word is "mysophobia" ... mahy-suh-FOH-bee-uh ... Psychiatry. a dread of dirt or filth.

Uh-oh!
Mysophobia,.
Guests are the cause
of this malady. I'm sure of it.
Most days there is no anxiety.
And then the phone call.
And the race begins. The bedroom!
The bath! The kitchen!
Round up the dust bunnies!
Pluff the pillows! Brush the dog!
Doorbell!
Hiiii!!!

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

'

Beforetime ... When

Today's word is "Beforetime" ... bih-FAWR-tahym ... Archaic. Formerly.

When

The sky was filled with cathedral towers,

And bells ringing, and monks singing,

The scripture was read to believing ears,

And disciples trying, the holy crying.

In those darkened ages gone by,

Souls were flying, morals climbing,

Christmas beforetime came with joy,

Angels winging, hallelujahs flinging.

Now through crowded marketplaces,

We are strolling, even, elbowing,

Searching for the glow of truth,

Packages shimmering, tree lights glimmering.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Chutzpa ... Depend

Today's word is "chutzpah" ... KHOOT-spuh ... unmitigated effrontery or impudence; gall. audacity; nerve. (dictionary.com)

Defend

They do what they want to do.

A certain amount of chutzpah, 

you might say ... not in a good way.

But then, good, in their vocabulary,

is not the same as mine.

They do what they want to do.

By whatever means. Because the

end is everything. But, the end that

they desire is not my desire.

They do what they want to do.

And rule by fear and violence.

Because no one wants to be hurt,

and bullies know that. We need

to find a way to survive. Without

becoming them.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Subfuscous ... Smolder

Today's word is "subfuscous" ... sub-FUHS-kuhs ... slightly dark, dusky, or somber.

Smolder
By the watchfires of the subfuscous night,
     they sit and guard the flocks within their care,
          exchanging stories to amuse themselves,
               they do not notice the first whispered sigh of wings.
Light creeps, then explodes through stars,
     and music of an unearthly kind begins.
           Songs of a child so close by that
               they can almost hear him breathe.
He's come with shouts of glory,
     and unending hallelujahs ... the sky filled
          with so much more than awe.
And then, suddenly, the angelic visitors are gone ...
     one star remaining to light the way.
 Gathering lambs, the herders stagger off,
      star struck, to find the Savior of the World.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Thalassic ... Chill

Today's word is "thalassic" ... thuh-LAS-ik ...of or pertaining to seas and oceans. of or pertaining to smaller bodies of water, as seas and gulfs, as distinguished from large oceanic bodies. growing, living, or found in the sea; marine.

Chill

The lake has melted into fog,

Her edges faded grey,

Cold sand beaches guard her shores,

This bleak December day.

Sun will not shine for weeks on end,

(Maps electronically foretell),

Memories will have to do,

To keep our spirits well.

But, candles bright still light the dark,

And warm those gathered 'round,

All is, and all will still be well,

As in each other we are found.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Weltanschauung ... Despite

Today's word is "Weltanschauung" ...VELT-ahn-shou-oong. German.  a comprehensive conception or image of the universe and of humanity's relation to it. (Dictionary.com)

Despite

Whatever your dear Weltanschauug,
You must admit this much,
Christmas comes with flurries,
Lights and merry stuff.

Everywhere you choose to go,
Colors are a'dancin',
There are manger scenes and piney trees,
And reindeer bent on prancing.

But the center of this folderol,
Cannot not be seen at all,
He is the Christ who saves us,
From evil and the fall.

Though there are those,
Who try to take, this special joy away,
He comes, and comes with grace and love,
For those who who've gone astray.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Whippersnapper ... Pesky

Today's word is "whippersnapper" ... an unimportant but offensively presumptuous person, especially a young one. (dictionary.com)

Pesky

Little voices pop up just when,

You think they cannot hear you,

Full of advice, they chide and pipe,

Kernels of truth, there are few.

Whippersnappers sure should wait 'til,

They're old enough to know,

That elders grown through strife and strain,

Will wisdom to them show.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Verbigeration ... Burn

Today's word is "verbigeration" ... ver-bij-uh-REY-shun ... Pathology. the constant or obsessive repetition of meaningless words or phrases. (dictionary.com)

Burn

He was a boy,

Possessed, they say,

Who flung himself,

In every way,

Into the fire.

He'd toss about,

And yell and scream,

With verbigeration,

Things so mean,

And painful.

'Til one day,

One came about,

And ordered all,

The spirits out,

And they obeyed them.

His power quickly,

Became the talk,

Of all around,

Who would not balk,

To call him savior.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Prithee ... Hum

Today's word is "prithee" ... Archaic. (I) pray thee.

Hum

In the darkened winter night,

Going home, going home,

Worries of the day are fading,

Far away, far away.

Tires humming on the highway,

Time is passing, time is passing,

Colored lights are sighing by, 

Nothing lasting, nothing lasting.

Prithee, as images shift and change,

One by one, one by one,

Can you see the peace that's come?

We are love, we are love.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Happenstance ... Flurry

Today's word is "happenstance" ... a chance happening or event. (dictionary.com)

Flurry

It was not happenstance that angels,
Sang an halleluja song,
In clouds of shining wonder,
A winged, knowing throng.

We've never seen a spectacle,
Like this in modern day,
But we can believe in mysteries,
That's what those of true faith say.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Philosophaster ... Smart

Today's word is "philosophaster" ... fi-LOS-uh-fas-ter ... a person who has only a superficial knowledge of philosophy or who feigns a knowledge he or she does not possess. (dictionary.com)

Smart
Bringing all his energy,
To explain vociferously,
His point of view on everything,
He talks and talks around in rings.

For the folks that must listen,
His concepts at first gleam and glisten,
But the more words that he uses,
The more his audience he confuses.

This philosophaster's certain,
That he's the one behind the curtain,
And controls all arguments,
(Though we're not sure where his logic went.)

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Pavlovian ... Response

Today's word is "Pavlovian" ... of, pertaining to, characteristic of Pavlov or his work, especially of experiments in which he elicited predictable responses from laboratory animals. (dictionary.com)

Response
I saw a little boy today,
And smiled despite myself,
He was cute, he had a job,
For UPS he was an elf.

I picked up some chocolate and I drooled,
Right down my front, you see?
What's this Pavolian response,
That so embarrassed me?

I looked outside and felt a chill,
Snow. Falling all around.
My facebook friend's in Florida,
Envy now abounds.

And all those commercials on T.V.,
Saying Christmas is quite near?
I look about for presents, 
But I'll have to shop some more, I fear.

I'd like to get a handle on
These reactions that have me,
But peace and quiet are what I need,
To serene and happy be.


Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Famulus

Today's word is "famulus" ... FAM-yuh-luhs ... a servant or attendant, especially of a scholar or a magician. (dictionary.com)

Follow

Just to touch his hem,

As a famulus enjoined,

Would be joy enough.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Vernacularize ... Barrier

Today's word is "ver-NAK-yuh-rahyz ... to translate into the natural speech peculiar to a people. (Dictionary.com)

Barrier

Why is it that God's Word came down,

In new form, in flesh and bone,

To this earth and time and space,

With human form and human face?

This world speaks its vernacular,

To each of us, it's true and clear,

But Spirit speech mysteriously comes,

And we are quick its voice to shun.

When enfleshed he stood among us,

His words and manner inspired trust,

As heart to heart spoke his love,

That we should picture God above.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2014

Clairaudience ... Vibration

Today's word is "clairaudience" ... klair-AW-dee-uhns ... The power to hear sounds said to exist beyond the reach of ordinary experience or capacity, as the voices of the dead.

Vibration
Into the blue she calls,
Hoping for an answer,
Then quieting, begins to listen.

Feelings come, then words.
She writes to know,
And learns as she goes.

This clairaudience brings peace,
Though not of this world,
And wisdom that reigns,
Until love comes down at last.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Wanion ... Pan

Today's word is "wanion" ... WON-yuan ... Archaic. curse; vengeance. (Dictionary.com) (never write a poem while watching Peter Pan)

Pan

If on occasion you should think,

Bad thoughts about another,

And want to issue a wanion there,

I hope it's not for your mother!

On the other hand, there may be one,

Deserving of your curse,

But hold back my friend unless you find,

Yourself within a hearse.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Zoanthropy ... Fooled

Today's word is "zoanthropy" ... Zoh-AN-thru-pee ... Psychiatry. A mental disorder in which one believes oneself to be an animal. (Dictionary.com)

Fooled
A wolf or dog,
A mouse or snake
Zoanthropy,
Of you could make.

You would believe,
With all your heart,
Wings, fangs or paws,
Could be your parts.

Illusions come,
In differing ways,
And chase us 'round,
And with us play.

Reality,
Our only test,
Keeps them away,
Like east from west.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Solander ... Found

Today's word is "solander" ... suh-LAN-der ... a case for maps, plates, etc., made to resemble a book and having the front cover and fore edge hinged.

Found
A cave in desert sands was made,
A burial place for scrolls,
Safe inside from sun, in shade,
With secrets hid from all souls.

But a shepherd with a rock,
Cracked the solander with his throw,
And revealed secrets to the flocks,
That would cause the faith to grow.

If mysteries buried in hollows deep,
Can be resurrected thus,
Can we any secrets quietly keep,
Or in any coffer trust?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014

Nosophobia

Today's word is "nosophobia" ... nos-uh-FOH-bee-uh ... Psychiatry. an abnormal fear of disease..

What?

Fear will make you crazy,
Keep you from your life,
Nosophobia or worse,
Will only bring you strife.

We fear the things that hurt us,
Disease or accident,
Tornadoes, floods and conflicts,
Those things we all resent.

But, from what can kill the body,
We should not cower or faint,
It's those things that kill the soul, that
Should frighten common man or saint.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2014