Whodunit ... Mystery

Today's word is "whodunit" ... hoo-DUHN-it. Informal. a narrative dealing with a murder or a series of murders and the detection of the criminal; detective story.  (Dictionary.com)

Mystery

A quiet afternoon,

Whodunits on T.V.,

Reruns of old crimes,

Ones I have never seen.

I am just passing time,

Is there a better way?

Like reading a good book,

Or sitting down to pray?

Oh, I'll sit here quiet,

Imagining I'm OK,

T.V.'s as good as praying,

I'll do that some other day.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Piebald ... Land

Today's word is "piebald" ... PAHY-bawled ...  adjective. having patches of black and white or of other colors; parti-colored. noun. a piebald animal, especially a horse.

Land
Looking over the meadow,
Past piebald ponies wild,
To mountains rising upward,
From verdant fields, tiled.

Greater sights are to be seen,
Around our world sublime,
But I must content myself with this,
This place I am in time.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Stinkaroo ... Movie

Today's word is "stinkaroo" ... Slang. something markedly inferior in quality. (Dictionary.com)

Movie

Wasting precious time,

Watching a real stinkaroo,

What else could I do?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Preprandial ... Break

Today's word is "preprandial" ... pree-PRAN-dee-uhl ... before a meal, especially before dinner. (Dictionary.com)

Break

If you preambulate,

And it's not very late,

This preprandial stroll,

Will be good for your soul.

You will breathe fresh air,

And be relieved of care,

You'll feel the world of God,

Come through from the sod.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Tenderfoot ... ow!

Today's word is "tenderfoot" ... TEN-der-foot ... a raw, inexperienced person; novice. (Dictionary.com)

Ow!

Marching around in theology,

Like a tenderfoot on the prairie,

Looking at everything as if,

It's the first time.

And as if that wasn't enough,

Realizing that the practice of 

All these words, is more complex,

Than the words themselves.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Ubiety ... vertical

Today's word is "ubiety" ... yoo-BAHY-i-tee ... The property of having a definite location at any given time; state of existing and being localized in space.

Verticle

Only a spirit,

In ubiety possessed,

Stands before God.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Ennui ... Bored?

Today's word is "Ennui" ... French Ahn-NWEE ... a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom: The endless lecture produced an unbearable ennui. (Dictionary.com)

Bored?

Summertime has just begun,

No time for murderous ennui,

When concerts and all kinds of fun,

To excitement hold the key.

Soon will be quiet winter times,

When blowing snow slows every clock,

And we hang like leaves upon a vine,

Waiting for any pleasant shock.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Otiose ... Hound

Today's word is "otiose" ... OH-shee-ohs ... 1. being at leisure; idle; indolent. 2. ineffective or futile. 3. superfluous or useless. (dictionary.com)

Hound
He's an otiose dog,
Just laying around,
Sometimes he's up,
But mostly he's down.

Not much can rattle,
His comatose state,
Except for the food,
That rests on my plate.

When that gentle wafting,
Of scent hits his nose,
His eyes open slowly,
He'll no longer doze.

I guess can't blame him,
He's ninety-one in dog years,
Sleeping is exercise,
At this age it appears.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Clepe ... Awe

Today's word is "clepe" ... kleep ... Archaic. to call; name (dictionary.com) ... the second time around for this strange word.

Awe
No greater honor,
To be aptly clept by God,
Despite transgression.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Swashbuckler ...

Today's word is "swashbuckler" ... SWOSH-buhk-ler ... A swaggering swordsman, soldier, or adventurer; daredevil.  (Dictionary.com)

Zap!

In this wild world,

We're all looking around,

For a swashbuckling type,

With his feet on the ground.

Who can perceive in a second,

What problems there are,

And arrive at a plan,

That will stir from afar.

He will gather support,

With a wink of his eye,

And to him we will run,

Hop, skip and fly.

The battles will rage,

But his zeal will not flag,

His cause is righteous,

His courage won't sag.

And when he's on top,

We will all shout haroo!!

He will be fair to us,

Whatever we do.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Cavil ... Smile

Today's word is "cavil" ... KAV-uhl ... To raise  irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about): He finds something to cavil at in everything I say. (Dictionary.com)

Smile
Carry on, complain, or cavil,
At what's irritating in your life,
And those around will frown at you,
Thinking, they too have some strife.

Better to smile and compliment,
Those whom you call your friends,
They'll think of you with peace and joy,
As they on their ways they wend.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Inviolable ... Tuck

Today's word is "inviolable" ... in-VAHY-uh-luh-buhl ... prohibiting violence, infringement, or desecration: an inviolable sanctuary; an inviolable promise. (Dictionary.com)

Tuck

Searching for the holy,

For a quiet place,

For a sanctuary,

Far from the human race.

A place of perfect resting,

Forgiven of all sin,

How to find this respite,

Is where we should begin.

We know we will not find it,

At our rapid pace,

Or on motioned screens,

That stand before our face.

It will take a stillness

We're unused to here,

But there is nowhere inviolable,

Apart from God's good cheer.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Unreality ... Sigh

Today's word is "unreality" ... uhn-ree-AL-i-tee ... something that is unreal, invalid, imaginary, or illusory. (Dictionary.com)

Sigh

Unreality,

Sometimes we want to live there,

Eyes closed and peaceful.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Lackadaisical ... Lakeside

Today's word is "lackadaisical" ... lak-uh-DEY-zi-kuhl ... without interest, vigor, or determination; listless; lethargic: a lackadaisical attempt. (dictionary.com)

Lakeside

We were sitting in our lawn chairs,

As misty rain began to fall,

The band played lackadaisically,

No one sang or clapped along.

Kids ran around the playground,

Their voices ringing loud,

We talked happily together,

Mother, daughter in the crowd.

The grandkids made some banjos,

Rubber bands and paper plates,

They couldn't really play them,
But they could relate.

Summer evenings hold a certain charm,
Even when they're flawed,
Families all together,
Creating memories on which to draw.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Technophobia ...

Today's word "technophobia" ... tek-nuh-FOH-bee-uh ... abnormal fear of or anxiety about the effects of advanced technology. (Dictionary.com)

Wireless

Technophobia,

Releases me from the future,

Safe in history.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Definiens ... Yours

Today's word is "definiens" ... dih-FIN-ee-uhnz ... something that defines part of a dictionary entry. (Dictionary.com)

Yours

What are the things that make you, you?

The definiens that prove,

That you are in the world unique,

A combination, new?

Is it your dress, or your new car,

Your job or avocation,

Or is there more than where you went,

On your last vacation?

Perhaps your happy and content,

Or caring and real smart,

Maybe being the best mom,

Is what stirs your heart.

One thing is true for all of us,

No matter who we are,

The graces that we're given,

Are the best by far.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Unquiet ... Open

Today's word is "unquiet" ... uhn-KWAHY-it ... agitated; restless; disordered; turbulent: unquiet times. (Dictionary.com)

Open

Ignore the unquiet,

There is also peacefulness,

Find it if you dare.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Shivaree ... Mine!

Today's word is "shivaree" ... shiv-uh-REE. a mock serenade with kettles, pans, horns, and other noisemakers given for a newly married couple; charivari. Informal. an elaborate, noisy celebration. (Dictionary.com)

Mine
They squawk and screech and fly,
Jousting for their share,
Louder than a shivaree,
They 'round the feeder tear.

If they'd learn to wait their turn,
Perhaps there'd be some peace,
But they are so greedy,
The commotion just won't cease.

Sometimes I think that people,
Could learn a thing or two,
By watching how the birds,
Treat the others in their crew.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Cavort ... New

Today's word is "cavort" ... kuh-VAWRT ... to prance or caper about. to behave in a high-spirited, festive manner; make merry. (Dictionary.com)

New

Joyous kids and lambs,

Cavort in verdant fields,

Daisys turn their heads,

Beauty is their yield.

Breezes gently swell,

Over grasses green,

As countless insects drone,

Under leaves, unseen.

Summer's grace has come,

Sumptuous in its show,

Revel while you may,

In its flirtatious glow.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

'sblood ... Whisper

Today's word is "'sblood" ... Zbluhd ... Obsolete. a euphemistic shortening of God's blood, used as an oath.

Whisper
In these modern times, 
We say what we want to say,
We tweet and propagate,
Our views every single day.

We utter an oath or two,
'sblood or something worse,
It's no big deal you say,
To shout or yell or curse.

But feelings can be hurt,
When moderation's not in play,
And someone may come undone,
Because of things you say.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Pentimento ... Erase

Today's word is "pentimento"  ... pen-tuh-MEN-toh ... Painting. the presence or emergence of earlier images, forms, or strokes that have been changed and painted over. (Dictionary.com) Also the Italian word for repentance.

Erase
Though grace here abounds,
And all our sins are covered,
There is within us found,
A winding trail of tears.

For as we outward grow,
And change and overcome,
A pentimento shows,
And testifies to love.

Though all this may be seen,
Only by one's heart,
Within God's mighty being,
We are wrapped around.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Obsolescence ... What?

Today's word is "obsolescence" ... ob-suh-LES-uhns ... the state, process, or condition of being or becoming obsolete. (Dictionary.com)

What?
The commotion caused,
When obsolescence reigns free,
Still surprises us.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Urbane ... Squeak

Today's word is "urbane" ... ur-BEYN ... having the polish and suavity regarded as characteristic of sophisticated social life in major cities: an urbane manner. (dictionary.com)

Squeak
Mouses from the country,
And mouses from the city,
See things in a different light,
And it's just a pity.

The country mouse is happy,
With a bit of hay to sleep in,
But the mouse that's citified,
Is urbane without a reason.

Being the sophisticate,
He knows all the famous flavors,
But the country mouse is happy,
With the little bit he savors.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Aggrandize ... Shine

Today's word is "aggrandize" ... uh-GRAN-dahyz ... to widen in scope; increase in size or Intensity; enlarge; extend. to make great or greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor. (Dictionary.com)

Shine
Some make the attempt,
To aggrandize themselves,
Not realizing how flimsy
Their wherewithal is
To save their lives.

It seems concrete, after all. 
You can touch and feel the gold,
And the beautiful things it buys,
And the things sparkle. And they're comfortable,
Or exciting. Or fun. And a way of providing
Proof. The evidence that it's 
Worth it ... All the time. The effort.
The sacrifices. The life blood.
The compromises.

It's only in rare crystal moments
That questions arise ...
Of purpose. Or meaning.
An answer must then appear,
That shatters all expectations
And fills the heart with hope
If truest life is to carry on.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Telesthesia ... Pray

Today's word is "telesthesia" ...\tuhl-uhs-THEE-zhuh, -zhee-uh, -zee-uh\ ... sensation or perception received at a distance without the normal operation of the recognized sense organ.

Pray
Listen for the voice,
It whispers in your ear now,
Telethesia works.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Holophrase ... Oh!

Today's word of the day is "holophrase" ... hol-uh-freyz ... a word functioning as a phrase or sentence, as the imperative Go! (Dictionary.com)

Oh!
See! See, see, see, see,
Look up! Look! Look at me,
I can walk. Fast and slow,
Watch! Watch me! I can go!

I learned to read by holophrase,
Dick and Jane were where I gazed,
Learning words one at a time,
Even though they did not rhyme!

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Floccinaucinihilipilification ... Vocal

Today's word is "floccinaucinihilipilification" ... flok-suh-naw-suh-nahy-hil-uh-pil-uh-fi-KEY-shuh n ... rare. the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language). (Dictionary.com)

Vocal
Language can be a strange thing,
Even when it's yours,
But if you speak correctly,
It may open doors.

And yet, on the other hand,
If you use big words,
Like floccinaucinihilipilification,
You might not be heard.

So speak your feelings simply,
Knowing, when you do,
Everyone will understand,
And think the best of you.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Cryptozoology ...

Today's word is "cryptozoology" ... krip-toh-zoh-OL-uh jee ... The study of evidence tending to substantiate the existence of, or the search for, creatures whose reported existence is unproved, as the Abominable Snowman or the Loch Ness monster. (Dictionary.com)

Wild
Instead of hunting
For creatures we can't see,
Why not follow the footsteps,
Of ones that we know to be.

Monsters in forests 
and mountains high,
Can't compare to the earthlings,
We watch with a sigh.

Cryptozoology's
Not for the faint of heart,
Neither is studying,
Humans who stand apart.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Oxter ... Games

Today's word is "oxter" ... "OK-ster" ... Scot. And North England. The armpit. (Dictionary.com)

Games
Count all of their piggies,
Chase them round and round,
Play hide and seek for hours,
Tickle their oxters when they're found.

Play "mole" under the covers,
Learn Minecraft not at all,
It's part of being grandma,
Until they've all grown tall.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Jiggery-pokery ...

Today's word is "jiggery-pokery" ... JIG-uh-ree-POH-kuh-re ... Chiefly British. trickery, hocus-pocus: fraud; humbug. (dictionary.com)

Hide

What's going on, up at the top
Of nations where the leaders hive,
And secrets hidden deep within,
Are kept in order to survive?

Much of what we see of them,
Turns out to be but a facade,
Under which jiggery-pokery lies,
Uncovered only by strangers prod.

Would that all was up and up,
And we could trust each word they say,
But 'til then we'll muddle through,
And hope for change one perfect day.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015