Moonbow ... Beam

Today's word is "moonbow" ... MOON-boh ... a rainbow caused by the refraction and reflection of light from the moon. (Dictionary.com)

Beam
What strange love is this ...
Precious as a moonbow's glow,
God's gift to us all?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Extemporize ... Zip

Today's word is "extemporize" ... ik-STEM-puh-rahyz ... to speak with little or no advance preparation. (Dictionary.com)

Zip
Making life up as we go,
Extemporizing, as it were,
Reacting to every new turn,
Moments marching in a blur.

Take a breath, slow it down,
Each morning, start once more,
Make this day even better,
Than the one before.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Agog ... Much

Today's word is "agog" ... uh-GOG ... highly excited by eagerness, curiosity, anticipation, etc. in a state of eager desire; excitedly. (Dictionary.com)

Much

The store was new and though we'd all,

Been in a store before,

We stood, agog at the displays,

Boasting groceries galore.

There were vegetables exotic,

And dried fruit in bins,

Potatoes of all colors,

And giant carts to put them in.

It almost made us dizzy,

Walking through those airy aisles,

Breathing in all the abundance,

That went on for near a mile.

We are overwhelmed with choices,

Blinded by our need,

Never thinking that to others,

This might look like greed.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Middling ... Layers

Today's word is "middling" ... MID-ling ... Mediocre; ordinary; commonplace; pedestrian. medium, moderate, or average in size, quantity, or quality. in fairly good health. (Dictionary.com)

Layers

The shinning ones all glow,

With skills far above measure,

Perfect teeth and hair,

Each word a human treasure,

Those on the lowest rung,

Shuffle, looking down,

Knowing nothing that they say,

Will influence the town.

The middling ones suspend,

Between the too extremes,

Not sure where fortune lies,

Hanging on the mean.

No matter what the strata,

Complaining does abound,

None seeing how they're blessed,

With wonders all around.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Gainsay ... Microscope

Today's word is "gainsay" ... GEYN-sey, geyn-SEY ... to deny, dispute, or contradict. to speak or act against; oppose. (dictionary.com)

Microscope
If the proof were sure,
I'd not gainsay it at all,
But, we do not know.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Quidnunc ... More

Today's word is "quidnunc" ... KWID-nuhngk ... a person who is eager to know the latest news and gossip; a gossip or busybody. (Dictionary.com)

More!

You might not suspect,

That quidnuncs lurk like birds here,

Waiting for new crumbs.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Eternize ... Spotlight

Today's word is "eternize" ... ih-TUR-nahyz ...to make eternal; to immortalize. (Dictionary.com)

Spotlight
What is the lure of fame,
The longing of the heart,
For wild recognition,
To be eternized, set apart?

What's this power that's gained,
Relentless in its hold,
'Till the one consumed,
Is its owner, bold?

Then there are the quiet ones,
Whose deeds are done for love,
And are always noted,
By God who sees above.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Yestreen ... When

Today's word is "yestreen" ... ye-STREEN ... during yesterday evening. yesterday evening; last evening. (dictionary.com)

When

Sometimes I remember,

Things I did when I was small,

But sometimes things done yestreen,

Are remembered not at all.

Memory's a funny thing ...

When thinking of the past,

What I want to happen,

Is make memories that last.

To know the faces of my loves,

Will shine on in my mind,

That if my body's stricken,

I'll still have the ties that bind.

There is hope that when life's done,

We'll gather all in all,

And reminisce of times gone by,

All precious moments well recalled.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Apothegm ... Look

Today's word is "apothegm" ... "AP-uh-them" ... a short, pithy, instructive saying; a terse remark or aphorism. (Dictionary.com)

Look
If wisdom you begin to seek,
You'll find it everywhere,
On signs and walls of buildings,
In books, and on the air

The apothegms will stun you,
With their humor and their wit,
You'll collect them in your notebooks,
So many, they won't fit.

You'll pin them on your Pinterest boards,
You'll memorize some too,
Then some will seep right down inside,
And become part of you.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Sudser ... Relative

Today's word is "sudser" SUHD-zer ... Informal.  any movie, play, or the like that is designed to provoke a tearful response. Informal.  a soap opera. (Dictionary.com)

Relative
I can see my grandma knitting,
Clicking, clacking quickly,
Making sweaters as she watches,
Sudsers made so slickly.

In that house were treasures,
Lemon drops in dishes,
And nonpariels in cupboards,
Chocolate-smelling wishes.

She taught us hemming on her table,
And how to make a dart,
Squaring handkerchiefs of white,
Her lessons she'd impart.

She'd tisk at schoolgirls' dresses short,
And make us homemade treats,
Grandma's house was a haven,
The best house on the street.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Geminate ... Hug

Today's word is "geminate" ... JEM-uh-nit ... Also geminated. combined or arranged in pairs; twin; coupled. (Dictionary.com)

Hug

Two little boys, geminated.

Live each moment side-by-side,

Learn in tandem how to ride,

And build and add and smile.

How is the world, when you are two,

And see each scene together,

Likes birds of a feather,

Your playmate always near?

Their talents mingle, separate,

Drama, music, writing, art,

In each there is a special part,

And love holds them together.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Schism ... Turn

Today's word is "schism" ... SIZ-uhm, SKIZ ... division or disunion, especially into mutually opposed parties. (Dictionary.com)

Turn

Left out on our own,

It always seems we choose,

The crooked paths that wind,

Ensuring that we'll lose.

A schism lies between,

The good we wish to do,

And the selfish, sad desires,

That rule all but a few.

But salvation makes a way,

Where nothing was before,

Allowing our mere mortal hands,

To create and to adore.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Tatterdemalion ... Run!

Today's word is "tatterdemalion" ... tat-er-di-MEYL-yuhn ... (adjective) ragged; unkempt or dilapidated. (noun) a person in tattered clothing; a shabby person. (Dictionary.com)

Run!

Across the street, a bouncy house,

Irresistible and puffy,

Calling to the two-year olds,

They know not of being stuffy.

Up and down. In and out,

Through mosquitos thick,

To the tree and back again,

Tatterdemalion and quick.

Clothes are shed; who can dance

In princess gown that clings

To skinny pants and toes that prance?

It's too much fancy bling.

Home again, though shoeless,

Happy, dirty, tired,

Time for a bath; no more mess,

And no sleep because she's wired!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Bucolic ... Bars

Today's word is "bucolic" ... byoo-KOL-ik ... of pertaining to, or suggesting an idyllic rural life. of or pertaining to shepherds; pastoral.

Bars

What kind of life would it be,

Being trapped in a walled city,

Under heavy smoke and smog,

In this machine, just a tiny cog.

Would you not long for fresh clean air,

For mountains tall and flowers fair?

And long to spend bucolic hours,

Being by this nature gently empowered.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Rubberneck ... March

Today's word is "rubberneck" ... RUHB-er-nek ... to look about or stare with great curiosity, as by craning the neck or turning the head. to gawk at. (Dictionary.com)

March
A parade with floats,
Allows rubbernecking, fine,
In celebration.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Legerity ... Timeless

Today's word is "legerity" ... luh-JER-i-tee ... Physical or mental quickness; nimbleness; agility. (Dictionary.com)

Timeless
Sometimes gifts come early,
Shining with legerity,
Amazing those around them,
With their stunning clarity.

But, the opposite reveals,
The rose that blooms in fall,
It's fragrance overwhelming,
A grace that's come to call.

Life's serendipities surprise,
Bringing beauty and pure joy,
Nothing wasted in this sacred space,
Where talents are employed.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Scroop ... Drool

Today's word is "scroop" ... scroop ... To emit a harsh grating sound.

Drool

When the babies went to bed,

They woke back up, and then they said ... 

      well ... wailed, and scrooped, 

         and made a scene. Until the grownups

     began to scream. For peace and quiet.

Then they sighed, and ceased to cry,

And the big ones went to bed,

     and stayed there with coverings on their

          heads. And when the morning light had come,

All did awake. Yes, every one.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Cynosure ... Different

Today's word is "cynosure" ... SAHY-nuh-shoor, SIN-uh ... something that strongly attracts attention by its brilliance, interest, etc.: the cynosure of all eyes. Something serving for guidance or direction. (Dictionary.com)

Different

His eyes bleed tears, as he tells,

His failings and his woes,

He knows bad feelings followed,

The actions that he chose.

He has no family to keep,

A record of his birth,

No friend to pat him on the back,

Or extol his worth.

He knows the God of all the earth,

Loves him in all his pain,

Yet human hugs are a cynosure,

And make God's love more plain.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Syzygy ... Bright

Syzygy ... SIZ-i-jee ... Astronomy. an alignment of three celestial objects, as the sun, the earth, and either the moon or a planet. (Dictionary.com)

Bright
Acts of selflessness,
Seem rare as a syzygy,
As diamonds, sparkling.


Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Hidebound ... Abide

Today's word is "hidebound" ... narrow and ridged in opinion; inflexible. (Dictionary.com)

Abide

Don't let those hidebound,

Determine your affections,

Or arc of your soul.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Biblomania ... Library

Today's word is "bibliomania" ... bib-lee-oh-MEY-nee-uh ... excessive fondness for aquiring and possessing books. (Dictionary.com)

Library

Sometimes you must just confess,

The weakness of your soul,

For sweets and treats or beauty,

Or lack of self control.

But, for some of us I fear,

It's bibliomania,

The love of all things bookish,

Words for your cranium.

As if possessing pages,

Of paper would suggest,

The quanity of knowledge,

You're able to digest.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Frabjous ... Grow

Today's word is "frabjous" ... FRAB-juhs ... Informal. Wonderful, elegant, superb. (dictionary.com)

Grow 
Daffodils and tulips,
Popping from the ground,
Grasses, leaves and blossoms,
Greening all around.

May's sweet rains bring frabjous,
Petalled, joyful sights,
Fragranced air, then sunshine,
All's dancing in the light.

These are the things that dazzle,
While we watch in awe,
These moments full of wonder,
These moments without flaw.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Credence ... Dobe

Today's word is "credence" ... KREED-ns ... belief as to the truth of something: to give credence to a claim. (Dictionary.com)

DoBe

I just don't believe them,

No matter what they say,

I'll never give them credence,

Not this or any day.

If they would act the way,

I'd expect them to,

And follow words with actions,

In a way that's true,

Then we'd have a good talk,

And compare our theories,

But until that comes about,

They'll just make me weary.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Logy ... Shop

Today's word is "logy" ... LOH-gee ... lacking physical or mental energy or vitality; sluggish; dull; lethargic. (Dictionary.com)

Shop

Walking everywhere,

Slogging through the store,

No matter how much stuff we've got,

We're always buying more.

It just leaves me logy,

And ready to lie down,

Swearing I will never make,

Another trip to town.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Volitant ... Flurry

Today's word is "volitant" ... VOL-i-tnt, -tuhnt ... engaged in or having the power of flight; active; moving. (Dictionary.com)

Flurry

They crowd the feeder,

Vying for the best spot,

Circling each other

Round and round.

Volitant, they chirp,

Complaining between bites,

At the closeness of their neighbors.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Defenestrate ... Grrr

Today's word is "defenestrate" ... dee-FEN-uh-streyt ... to throw (a person or thing) out of a window. (dictionary.com)

Grrrr

When I listen to their strident voices,

And see the results of all their choices,

It takes all the patience I can muster,

Not to scream and become flustered.

If I was brave and stronger too,

I'd stand up for what is true,

And defenestrate them; they'd be gone,

To be remembered with a yawn.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Bafflegab ... Spine

Today's word is "bafflegab" ... BAF-uhl-gab ... Slang. confusing or generally unintelligible jargon; gobbledegook: an insurance policy written in bafflegab impenetrable to a lay person. (Dictionary.com)

Spine
There are words most everywhere,
Libraries full, and stores,
Schools and homes and backpacks,
Shelved in workplaces and more.

To some it is but bafflegab,
Those who live in computer screens,
Linking to each other 
In impossible webs of dreams.

But to others, life is in
Those syllables and prose,
The poems and the monographs,
That compose the books they chose.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Diurnal ... Lavish

Today's word is "diurnal" ... dahy-UR-nl ... of or belonging to the daytime (opposed to nocturnal) (dictionary.com)

Lavish
In the new kingdom,
We will all be diurnal,
Laughing in the sun.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Aver ... Do

Today's word is "aver" ... uh-VUR ... to assert or affirm with confidence; declare in a positive or peremptory manner. (dictionary.com)

Do 
Woven into each other,
Bonded by Spirit and song,
Encouraged by holy direction,
Taking a stand against wrong.

Wresting courage from action,
Avering truth's mighty hold,
Putting hands to the plow,
Welcoming all to the fold.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Moppet ... Romp

Today's word is "moppet" ... MOP-it ... a young child.

Romp
It is so much fun,
Watching moppets play,
As they make up games,
Imagining through their days.

And if they let you join,
(Although you're old gray),
Your bones will gain new strength,
As you enjoy the fray.

Your mind will find that place,
Where worries are no more,
And for an hour or two,
With them, you'll ask for more.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Rhapsodic ... Wake

Today's word is "rhapsodic" ... rap-SOD-ik ... extravagantly enthusiastic; ecstatic; pertaining to, characteristic of, or of the nature or form of rhapsody. 
(dictionary.com)

Wake
What is it with birds?
They are simply rhapsodic,
Waiting for the dawn.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015