Clinquant ... Brillant

Today's word is "clinquant" ... KLING-kuh nt ... Glittering, especially with tinsel; decked with garish finery. (Dictionary.com)

Brillant

Ah! Such a night of clinquancy!
Celebrations chase each other 'round,
     one zone to the next.
You can almost hear the gleeful
     shouting wend it's windy way ...
          passed on by some 
          prearranged signal ...
Like the ticking of a clock. 

The revelers amass and retreat,
     as time tracks on relentlessly.

Make merry then! The moments will
     come and go. Ours is to celebrate
          while we can. Ring in each breath 
               in praise of life.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015
     
          

Probity ... Patriot

Today's word is "probity" ... PROH-bi-tee ... integrity and uprightness; honesty. (Dictionary.com)

Patriot
The things we're looking for,
Truth and probity,
A forward facing vision,
And a longing to be free,

Loyalty to country,
A love of all that's right,
A negotiator's strength,
A warrior's will to fight,

Are difficult to find,
In this world of woe,
We need the power of prayer,
And someone to make it so.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Stelliferous ... Hide

Today's word is "stelliferous" ... ste-LIF-er-uh s ... having or abounding with stars. (Dictionary.com)

Hide
Beyond the fraying clouds,
The stelliferous night glows.

Awaiting a glance.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Wing-ding ... Midnight

Today's word is "wing-ding" ... Slang. a noisy, exciting celebration or party. (Dictionary.com)

Midnight
The year's end will bring wing-dings,
We'll be wearing funny hats,
We'll be counting down the seconds,
As the ball drops, big and fat.

Resolutions fine will soon be made,
And broken the next day,
It seems our common appetites,
Despite our will, hold sway.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Abdominous ... Beard

Today's word is "abdominous" ... ab-DOM-uh-nuh s ... Having a large belly; potbellied. (Dictionary.com)

Beard

The red-suited man

With abdominous belly,

Was not the savior.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Bonhomie ... Peace

Today's word is "bon-uh-MEE or BON-uh-mee" ... frank and simple good-hearted ness; a good-natured manner; friendliness; geniality. (Dictionary.com)

Peace?
The end of year is whispering,
And the review begins,
Infamous events are counted,
Good deeds as well as sins.

Paraded images in time,
Are less of bonhomie,
Than wills gone wild with power,
Writ large on the T.V.

But, each turning brings new hope,
That something may arise,
To change our ragged courses,
And claim a different prize.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Munificence ... Hark!

Today's word is "munificence" ... myoo-NIF-uh-suh ns ... the quality of being munificent, or showing unusual generosity. (Dictionary.com)

Hark

This Christmas day we worship,

Joy and awe abound,

At our God's munificence,

Our salvation has been found.

We were lost, so sings the song,

And though it's not deserved,

Love's reason for encounter,

Is to serve, not to be served.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Merrythought ... Fortunate

Today's word is "merrythought" ... MER-ee-thawt ... Chiefly British. the wishbone of a fowl. (Dictionary.com) 

Fortunate

Wishing on stars or merrythoughts,

Reading portents in the stars,

Sifting meaning out of tea leaves,

Consulting crystals in bazaars.

We are always searching,

In and out of routine days,

For something to make sense of,

Our superficial haze.

God came down among us,

On the first Christmas night,

So we could fall in love,

With him. His truth and light.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Festoon ... Fah-la-la

Today's word is "festoon" ... fe-STOON ... to adorn with or as with festoons: to festoon a hall. (Dictionary.com)

Fah-la-la

If you've not already started,

To festoon your halls and walls,

Or bought a tree to decorate,

You might not feel this season's call.

Put that stocking on the mantle!

Place the boughs upon your door!

If you hurry and get at it,

You will feel the joy, and more!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Irenic ... Written

Today's word is "irenic" ... why-REN-ik ... tending to promote peace or reconciliation; peaceful or conciliatory. (Dictionary.com)

Written

It was in a stable,

     that the irenic story was born.

A night with mother's moans,

     cattle lows. Then the humming lullaby.

It began in a common way,

     that most uncommon life;

and ended in a tragedy,

     by any human standard.

But an eternity is three days,

     in God's eyes. And time enough

          to save a world.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Gastronome ... Munch

Today's word is "gastronome" ... GAS-truh-nohm ... a connoisseur of good food; gourmet; epicure. (Dictionary.com)

Munch

Deliciousness is everywhere,

Fudge and cookies, candy canes,

Gingerbread with sugared flair,

All is fancy, nothing plain.

Gastronomes are estatic,

Opportunities to eat abound,

As for that fruitcake in the attic,

Hopefully it won't be found!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Oenophile ... Merry

Today's word is "oenophile" ... EE-nun-fahyl ... a person who enjoys wines, usually as a connoisseur. (Dictionary.com)

Merry

While you travelled on the earth,

Your companions questioned,

How could you, of special birth,

Make this rude suggestion,

That tax collectors and oenophiles,

Understand you more than we do?

That those of most suspicious wiles,

Can be disciples true blue?

The chasm widens inbetween,

Your holiness and ours,

We are chastened now, we see,

By your compassionate power.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Valediction ... Beginning

Yes, this is yesterday's poem! Sometimes the hours get away.
The word for "today" is "valediction" ... an act of bidding farewell or taking leave.

Beginning
There will be glory.
The valediction of the ages
Will be without tears.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Eudemonic ... Holiday

Today's word is "eudemonic" ... yoo-di-MON-ik ... Pertaining or conducive to happiness. (Dictionary.com)

Holiday
This should be the eudemonic time,
When we see through snowy panes,
Warm fires, families, feasts sublime,
And hear music soft and plain.

If we'd put away the fears of day,
The might haves and the maybes,
Hope might be allowed its mysterious way,
And from our weakness we'd be free.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Jocular ... Ha

Today's word is "jocular" ... JOK-yuh-ler ... given to, characterized by, intended for, or suited to joking or jesting; waggish; facetious. (Dictionary.com)

Ha

Sometimes the way in,

Comes by comments jocular,

Sweetly surprising.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Milquetoast ... Walk

Today's word is "milquetoast" ... MILK-tohst... A very timid, unassertive, spineless person, especially one who is easily dominated. (Dictionary.com)

Walk

All the daring do there is,

Is done by those who can,

The brave step out in confidence,

With attitude most grand.

You'd think that only soldiers,

For this duty should apply,

No milquetoasts shaking in their boots,

No one who might just cry.

But taking one small step each day,

Following a dream,

Can be brave as warriors in the field,
No matter how it seems.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Clishmaclaver ... Headlines

Today's word is "clishmaclaver" ... klish-muh-KLEY-ver ... gossip, idle or foolish talk. (Dictionary.com)

Headlines What is it you listen to?
Where do you get your news?
Whose opinion do you trust?
What determines all your views?

Is it the clishmaclaver,
That screams from your TV?
Or interneted comments,
That you got for free?

Does the gravity of faith,
Keep your soul at ease?
Or do you rely upon your mind,
To filter what you see?

In all of the complexities,
That face us every day,
Truth must be our compass,
To navigate the fray.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Telluric ... Pole

Today's word is "telluric" ... te-LOO R-ik ... Of or proceeding from the earth or soil. (Dictionary.com)

Pole
There are currents in the earth,
Telluric they are named,
Some believe they guide our hearts,
As they travel through the same.

Forces great and small collide,
In complexities amazing,
Though most feel not the slightest twinge ... 
Not a moment fazing.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Matutinal ... Peep

Today's word is "matutinal" ... muh-TOOT-n-l ... relating to or occurring in the morning; early. (Dictionary.com)

Peep

Sun's rays kiss the sky,

Matutinal coffee is in hand,

Though eyes are full of sleep,

The day begins again.

It takes a moment's time,

To shake loose heaven's dreams,

And return to earth to dare,

The real world to redeem.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Antediluvian ... Rain

Today's word is "antediluvian" ... an-tee-di-LOO-vee-uhn ... of or relating to the period before the Biblical flood. Very old, old fashioned, or out of date; antiquated. (Dictionary.com)

Rain

The way that they live,

Is antediluvian,

Back to the future.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Fortnight ... Gloria

Today's word is "fortnight" ... FAWRT-nahyt ... the space of fourteen nights and days; two weeks. (Dictionary.com)

Gloria

It is but a fortnight,

'Til the eve when Christ was born,

We were in deepest darkness,

Feeling sin-sick and forlorn.

But, through the thinest spaces,

God reached into our world,

With undeserved forgiveness,

And graciousness unfurled.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Fugacious ... Hold

Today's word is "fugacious" ... fyoo-GEY-shuh s ... Lasting but a short time; fleeting. 

Hold
The sweet moments fly,
Fugacious as a sunset,
Lighter than the air.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Lexicographer ... Revision

Today's word is "lexicographer" ... lek-si-KOG-ruh-fer ... a writer, editor, or compiler of a dictionary. (Dictionary.com)

Revision
Finding the right words to write,
Is sometimes quite a chore,
You think you have the right one,
Then you think of more.

But sometimes nothing useful comes,
And you wish in the worst way,
You had a lexicographer,
To help you as you play.

Syllables and sentences,
Have their own will and wiles,
They can make you wail and weep,
Or inspire a Cheshire smile.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Antipodes ... Equator

Today's word is "antipodes" ... an-TIP-uh-deez ... places diametrically opposite each other on the globe. those who dwell there. (Dictionary.com)

Equator
How do we communicate,
With those at the antipodes?
They are so very different,
By great and vast degrees.

Things they learned when they were small,
Were ideas unlike ours,
Now that they're talking to us,
Their logic has no power.

It's going to take a long time,
Before we see eye to eye,
But trying is the battle,
That may win them to our side.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Bombinate ... Electricity

Today's word is "bombinate" ... BOM-buh-neyt ... to buzz; to hum; to drone. to make a humming or buzzing noise. (Dictionary.com)

Electricity
Oh for some silence!
Constant bombination reigns,
My ears are ringing.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Gambol ... Shine

Today's word is "gambol" ... GAM-bul l ... to dance and skip about in play; to frolic. to skip about, as in dancing or playing; frolic. (Dictionary.com)

Shine
'Tis the season, bright and merry,
Excitment's running wild,
Some for Santa's workshop,
Some for the Christmas child.

Some watch for gamboling reindeer,
Some for angels bright,
One thing is truly certain,
There are miracles on that night.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Schmatte ... Dress-Up

Today's word is "schmatte" ... SHMAH-tuh ... an old ragged garment; tattered article of clothing. (Dictionary.com)

Dress-Up Fashion's overrated,
At least that's what I think,
I don't need 10 pairs of shoes,
To keep me in the pink.

No gowns or jeweled hats,
Or fancy beaded frocks,
What keeps me warm and cozy,
Are a schmatte and some socks.

Anne Selleck
Copyrighted 2015

Spoonerism ... What?

Today's word is "spoonerism" ... SPOO-nuh-riz-uh m ... the transposition of usually initial sounds in a pair of words. As in a blushing crow for a crushing blow. (Dictionary.com)

What?
I could have been mistaken,
When I heard the words you said,
Was it a spoonerism,
Or just something in my head?

If I only knew for sure,
Maybe we could be true friends,
But I don't, so I'm afraid,
This will be the end.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Foudroyant ... Oh

Foudroyant ... foo-DROI-uh nt ... striking as with lightning; sudden and overwhelming in effect; stunning; dazzling. 

Oh
They came quietly singing,
Of marching with God's light,
Urging peace on earth,
To people in the night.

Then like the angeled multitude,
They burst forth foudroyantly,
Nearly blinding all the gathered,
With beams from that great tree.

Magic music circled round,
Reminding wearied souls,
Of an ancient, holy story,
That even now around us rolls.

If we could stay those melodies,
And emotions in our hands,
Perhaps we'd be more gentle,
With the will at our command.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Propinquity ... Quack

Today's word is "propinquity" ... proh-PING-kwi-tee ... Nearness in place; proximity. Affinity of nature; similarity. (Dictionary.com)

Quack

When something is walking,

And it looks just like a duck,

One would with this propinquity,

And a bit of luck,

Decide that indeed this bird,

Is neither strange nor rare,

But exactly what it seems,

A swimming bird most fair.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Winkle ... Embedded

Today's word is "winkle" ... WING-Kuh l ... British. informal. to pry (something) out of a place, as winkle meat is dug out of its shell with a pin (usually followed by out). (Dictionary.com)

Embedded

One winkles meaning,

From the details of the day,

There's always something.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Bibliotaph ... Stack

Today's word is "bibliotaph" ... BIB-lee-uh-taf ... a person who caches or hoards books. (Dictionary.com)

Stack
You know you have a problem,
When bookstores call your name,
And you answer on the double,
With no one else to blame.

Every volume, every cover,
Contains a mystery,
For a bibliotaph, it's heaven,
To the highest of degrees.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Nocturne .... Rest

Today's word is "nocturne" ... NOK-turn ... Music. a piece appropriate to the night or evening. (Dictionary.com)

Rest
Oh, for a simple nocturne,
While I fall asleep,
To soothe away my worries,
As peaceful thoughts I keep.

A pleasant little melody,
Into whose notes I'd slip,
Calming, sighing, breathing,
A smile upon my lips.

But listening to the raindrops,
Or breezes in the trees,
Brings an even deeper peace,
Than the musician's key.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Pandiculation .... Sprout

Today's word is "pandiculation" ... pan-dik-yuh-LEY-shuhn ... the act of stretching oneself. (Dictionary.com)

Sprout
Choosing to grow requires,
Pandiculation,
Day by day, by day.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Oniomaina ... Mine

Today's word is "oniomania" ... oh-nee-uh-MEY-nee-uh. an uncontrollable desire to buy things. (dictionary.com)

Mine

The clock strikes one day after,

The great Thanksgiving day,

Known as the blackest Friday,

When crazy greed holds sway.

Oniomania strikes,

And everyone goes mad,

Even sweet old ladies,

In the aisles, are bad.

Waiting in expansive lines,

Is nothing for these folks,

Less than fourteen hours there,

To them is just a joke.

How we got into this fix,

Is a mystery confusing,

But it seems these attitudes,

Are of our own sad choosing.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Gormandize ... Pilgrims

Today's word is "gormandize" ... GAWR-much n-dahyz ... To eat greedily or ravenously. Unrestrained enjoyment of fine foods, wines, and the like. (Dictionary.com)

Pilgrims

We've seen it all before,

The turkey and the gravy,

Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes,

Whipped cream high and wavy.

Carrotts, peas and green beans,

Cauliflower pure and white,

Breads and pies and biscuits,

Piled near out of sight.

All these gastronomic pleasures,

Make gormandizers sigh,

Before they sink into the sofa,

With one "last" piece of pie!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Uxorious ... Duo

Today's word is "uxorious" ... uhk-SAWR-ee-uhs ... doting upon, foolishly fond of, or affectionately submissive toward one's wife. (Dictionary.com)

Duo
Some marriages seem heaven made,
They last the years in style,
Through riches great or poverty,
Each day ends with hugs and smiles.

It takes a wife with courage,
And an uxorious man,
To coax the goodness from each day,
And keep to a simple plan.

Of course some faith and honesty,
Help keep them side by side,
So even when they're tested,
They know together they'll survive.

Anne Selleck
Cooyright 2015

Penetralia ... Dig

Today's word is "penetralia" ... pen-i-TREY-lee-uh ... the most private or secret things. the innermost parts or recesses of a place or thng. (Dictionary.com)

Dig
Hidden deep inside,
Human penetralia,
Are all our answers.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Splendiferous ... Earth.

Today's word is "splendiferous" ... splen-DIF-er-uhs ... splendid; magnificent; fine. (Dictionary.com)

Earth
Mountain majesty,
Oceans rolling on,
Primal forests deep,
Wildflower riots.,
Clouded birds dancing
In the wind,
Human faces, none the same,
A myriad of creatures,
Cities in our cells,
Galaxies unnumbered,
All of this splendiferous wonder,
Given in abundance,
And for it all,
We give thanks.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015