Paramnesia ... Tale

Today's word is "paramedics" ... Par-am-NEE-zhuh ... Psychiatry. a distortion of memory in which fact and fantasy are confused. (Dictionary.com)

Tale

Sometimes, when I look around,

It seems facts here on the ground,

Belie the news I see each day,

That says the pain will go away.

This paramnesia abounds,

In normal people all around,

And until eyes are opened wide,

There'll be no end to our surprize.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Funambulist ... Shake

Today's word is "funambulist" ... Fyoo-NAM-byuh-list ... A tightrope walker. (Dictionary.com)

Shake

I may as well be in-between,

Two points above a chasm,

Like a funambulist, poised,

In the halfway light.

Sensing wind strength,

And the swaying of the wire,

Taking one step and then another,

Slowly, carefully, in line.

The slightest change,

In posture or focus,
Could mean the difference,
Between landing and free fall.

Concentration is required,
Eyeing the far edge,
Refusing to be paralyzed,
Willing the future, come.


Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Globular ... Flakes

Today's word is "globular" ... GLOB-yuh-ler ... globe-shaped; spherical. (Dictionary.com)

Flakes
This may be the last day,
Snowmen raise up from their beds,
That their watchful eyes of coal,
Burn in their globular heads.

The temperatures will rise,
And slowly, day by day,
Snowman puddles will collect,
Then evaporate away.

There is a time for everything,
Snowmen and spring flowers,
But if I have a choice to make,
I'll pick flowers to while away the hours.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Peper-upper ... Soon

Today's word is "pepper-upper" ... Informal. something, as a food, beverage, or pill, that provides a quick but temporary period of energy and alertness. (Dictionary.com)

Soon

In winter's doldrums,

We need a pepper-upper,

To hold us 'til spring.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Cantillate ... Sigh

Today's word is "cantillate" ... KAN-tl-eyt ... to chant; intone. (Dictionary.com)

Sigh
I am tired of war,
Someone, cantillate for peace,
Please, raise your voice loud and long.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Forsooth ... Amazed

Today's word is "forsooth" ... fawr-SOOTH ... Archaic. (now used in derision or to express disbelief) in truth; in fact; indeed. (dictionary.com)

Amazed

Forsooth! Love is here!

Open the eyes of your heart,

Please God with attention.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Dendrochronology ... One

Today's word is "dendrochronology" ... den-droh-kruh-NOL-uh-jee ... the science dealing with the study of the annual rings of trees in determining the dates and chronological order of past events. (Dictionary.com) Each ring can be traced to a specific year in history.

One

If it were so easy,

To count back all our years,

Remember salient moments,

Of joyfullness or tears.

We would spend yet more time,

In cogent reminiscence,

Instead of running forward,

From the moment, which, this is.

In dendrochronology,

The rings all tell the tale,

Lives touched will be the rings God counts,

When we are all unveiled.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Furtherance ... Still

Today's word is "furtherance" ... FUR-ther-uhns ... the act of furthering; promotion; advancement. (dictionary.com)

Still

In the quiet is the small voice,

It whispers, never shouts,

That's why most people have no clue,

What these words are all about.

We must find a place of peace,

To breathe and feel him near,

When we've quelled our anxious thoughts,

We'll be opened up to hear.

The furtherance of the kingdom,

Happens quietly and gives,

Gifts judged foolish by this world,

Which we need most to live.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Nonevent ... Thanks

Today's word is "nonevent" ... an occurrence of only superficial interest or content; a dull or insignificant occasion. an event or situation that is anticipated but does not occur or occurs with much less than the expected impact, especially one that has been widely publicized; anticlimax. (dictionary.com)

Thanks

I'm pretty sure it's happening,

The end is almost here,

The sky is molting colors,

The sun is looking queer.

What's that you say, last century,

Someone said the same?

All the signs were visible,

But the nonevent was tame?

Well then, maybe I'll just wait,

And sit under this tree,

Wait for summer, drink some punch,

And learn how to be me.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Gibber ... What?

Today's word is "gibber" ... to speak inarticulately or meaninglessly. to speak foolishly; chatter. (Dictionary.com)

What?

Strident voices all around,

Command us to obey,

They speak with passioned fervor,

But wisdom's not in what they say.

Sometimes it sounds like gibberish,

Senseless and arcane,

Sometimes its reasoning is sparse,

Sometimes it's just profane.

If words did not cause action,

We would't strain or pray,

But since the world is burning,

We need to find a way.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2013

Mao de mer ... Fins

Today's word is "mal duh MER ... French. seasickness. (Dictionary.com)

Fins

One day while looking,

For bright-colored fishes,

In the Carribean,

Land of all wishes,

I jumped from a boat,

Right into the sea,

Then with the others,

Swam around, free.

Unfortunately waves,

Rippled and swayed all,

And mal de mar fierce,

Came up on me to call.

Back I went to the boat,

Unhappy and queasy,

Wondering why the ads,

Made it look easy.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Anthesis ... Flower

I missed a day because I was on a retreat with some wonderful Christian women. And the subject of our retreat? Spring. Gardens. Seasons. And the word? Well, how appropriate ... Yesterday's word was "anthesis" ... an-THEE-sis ... Botany. the period or act of expansion in flowers, especially the maturing of the stamens. (Dictionary.com) Also, the time a flower is open and functional.

Flower

We all grow up in the midst of change,

Stretch our perceptions as we age,

Rely on self, on God or none,

Think life is serious or fun.

But no matter what our choices,

What the tenor of those voices,

We'll not reach the anthesis we desire,

Unless we find our own true fire.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Amain ... Tilt

Today's word is "amain" ... uh-MEYN ... Archaic. with full force; at full speed; suddenly; hastily; exceedingly; greatly. (dictionary.com)

Tilt

Proceed amain! 

Despite your doubts!

Despite your fears!

Despite the counting of your years.

Sitting quiescent,

Might just postpone,

What good could do,

Even now, as your great God woos.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Beamish ... Sunny

Today's word is "beamish" ... BEE-mish ... bright, cheerful, and optimistic. (Dictionary.com)

Sunny
When facing trouble,
Be beamish and not squeamish,
Trust the good to come.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Brogue ... Listen

Today's word is "brogue" ... brohg ... an Irish accent in the pronunciation of English. (Dictionary.com)

Listen
Can you hear the brogue?
Little people are about,
In the thin spaces.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Collywobbles ... Turn

Today's word "collywobbles" ... "KOL-ee-wob-uhlz" ... Informal. a feeling of fear, apprehension, or nervousness. (dictionary.com)

Turn

The wind blows north, then south,

The world turns round and round,

Darkness turns to light and back,

The regularity astounds.

Only man confounds this scheme,

With all his selfish ways,

That's why the collywobbles,

Seem to be with us to stay.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Knackered ... Continue

Today's word is "knackered" ... NAK-erd ... British Slang. exhausted; very tired: He is really knackered after work.

Continue
Shoveling receding snow,
Raking up the leaves,
Digging trenches in the dirt,
Rend you knackered, yet relieved.

Though you know those jobs will come,
Quaranteed and sure,
You plug along with sweat and verve,
And motivation pure.

Why is it then so difficult,
When dealing with our minds,
To argue for beliefs we hold,
That will stand the test of time?

Make us brave, oh Lord of all,
Make us strong and true,
Hold us together 'till it's time,
To stand in heaven's view.

Anne Selleck
Copyrighted 2015

Dysphemism ... What?

Today's word is "dysphemism" ... DIS-fuh-miz-uhm ... the substitution of a harsh, disparaging, or unpleasant expression for a more neutral one. (Dictionary.com)

What?

Cloudy skies and rain,

Howling winds and ice,

The forcast's dyspheministic,

"Blizzard" would be twice as nice.

Then the storm comes round,

It lasts for half an hour,

The sprinkles barely land,

There's hardly any power.

Our imaginations,

Wouldn't run like this away,

If accuracy ruled ...

We'd mean just what we say.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Intenerate ... Now

Today's word is "intenerate" ... in-TEN-uh-reyt ... to make soft or tender; soften. (Dictionary.com)

Now
In this best of worlds,
Intenerate your whole heart
to the voice of God.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Spondulicks ... Dough

Today's word is "spondulicks" ... spon-DOO-liks ... Older Slang. Money; cash. (Dictionary.com)

Dough
Enough spondulicks,
Bring the foolish to their knees.
Wait! Don't fall for it!

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Momism ... Slide

Today's word is "momism" ... MOM-is-uhm ... excessive adulation of the mother and undue dependence on maternal care or protection, resulting in absence or loss of maturity and independence. (Dictionary.com)

Slide
Leaning on convention,
Resting on your laurels,
Backing away from danger,
Won't help you build your morals.

Succumbing to momism,
Taking the easy road,
Placing your head in the sand,
Won't loosen your heavy load.

Face the things that scare you,
Pray for wisdom's voice,
Realize what truly matters,
You always have a choice.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Magniloquent ... Legacy

Today's word is "magniloquent" ... mag-NIL-uh-kwuhnt ... Lofty or grandiose in speech or expression; using a high-flown style of discourse; bombastic. (Dictionary.com)

Legacy

No matter how impressive,

How magniloquent,

It's not the meaning of his speeches,

That should give us all a hint.

But instead watch his actions,

They'll tell you everything,

There's nothing hidden there,

To which he will not cling.

And when the dust has settled,

Truth will be revealed,

It always happens this way,

It's how his fate is sealed.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Formication ... Watch

Today's word is "formication" ... fawr-mi-KEY-shuhn ... A tactile hallucination involving the belief that something is crawling on the body or under the skin. (Dictionary.com)

Watch
Hidden in the dark,
Are all things that creep,
Working while we wake,
Working while we sleep.

In the light, the good,
Plays by its radiant ways,
Brightening what it touches,
Willing what it may.

You'll feel the formication,
That comes with unbounded fear,
Unless you carry forth,
With hope that's strong and clear.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Chronometer ... 360

Today's word is "chronometer" ... kruh-NOM-I-ter ... (2) any timepiece, especially a wristwatch, designed for the highest accuracy. (dictionary.com)

360

Killing time is common,

But why, is another matter,

The ticking and the tocking ...
That's how the moments shatter.

We linger here awhile,
And then our life is done,
We should not waste a second,
And all irrelevancies shun.

Yet we spend our days,
On gaming and T.V.
In the end we'll wonder,
Why we did not see.

The finest of chronometers,
Cannot track our years,
Or trace the broken moments,
Left in this trail of tears.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Phillumenist ... Tiny

Today's word is "phillumenist" ... fi-LOO-muh-nist ... a collector of matchbooks. (dictionary.com)

Tiny
In this world of darkness, 
Punctuated by small lights,
Is it any wonder,
That to ease their way thru night,

There are phillumenists who try to,
Collect those potential sparks,
Hold them in protection,
Thereby holding back the dark?

If we would all protect,
The lights that we've been given,
The blaze would dissipate the blackness,
To which we feel that we've been driven.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Circumvolve ... Melt

Today's word is "circumvolve" ... sur-kuhm-VOLV ... to revolve or wind about. (dictionary.com)

Melt

I can hardly wait,

For the day come soon,

When warm breezes blow,

A sunny, happy boon.

Enough of freezing winds,

Circumvolving everything,

There will be a moment,

When the earth will sing.

These dark days linger long,

And we think there'll be no end,

But hope lies in our memories,

Helps us see around the bend.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Eyesome ... Oh!

Today's word is "eyesome" ... Archaic. pleasant to look at. (dictionary.com)

Oh!

Who would have guessed it?

The one who created you

Still finds you eyesome.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Sastrugi ... Muffled

Today's word is "sastruga" ... SAS-truh-guh ... Usually, sastrugi. ridges of snow formed on a snowfield by the action of the wind. (dictionary.com)

Muffled
Walk the winter shoreline,
And all around you'll view,
A wonderland of sculpture,
Made everyday anew.

Sastrugi stretch their fingers,
Along the frozen sand,
Touching hardened water,
That sleeps against the land.

Soon warmth will release them,
To melt and intertwine,
And our feet will dance there,
With joy verging on Devine.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Variorum ... Endless

Today's word is "variorum" ... vair-ee-AWR-uhm ... Containing different versions of the text by various editors: a variorum edition of Shakespeare (dictionary.com)

Endless

Very many souls abide,

On our planet, far and wide,

Colors bright, languages strange,

Customs varied on this stage.

We appear as a variorum,
Writ loud from God's hand above,
We are his kingdom to begin,
And acknowledge him within.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Switcheroo ... Surprise!

Today's word is "switch-uh-ROO" ... an unexpected or sudden change or reversal in attitude, character, position, action, etc. (dictionary.com)

Surprise!

When we give up on ourselves,

Sure there's no way out,

And we know that we can't change,

No matter how devout,

There comes a moment of pure grace,

Unexpectedly,

The switcheroo of all time,

And it's completely free.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Emblem ... Trump

Today's word is "emblem" ... EM-bluhm ...an object or it's representation, symbolizing a quality, state, class of persons, etc.; symbol: The olive branch is an emblem of peace. (dictionary.com)

Trump

Through thick and thin,

Battles to win,

We strive and try,

To stay alive.

How will love save?

His all he gave ...

An emblem crossed ...

Was not his loss.

But we receive,

By his own leave,

Each day a chance,

To perfect the dance

He started.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015