Cryophilic ... Forecast

Today's word is "cryophilic" ... krahy-oh-FIL-ik ... preferring or thriving at low temperature. (Dictionary.com)

Forecast

Are you some sort of extremophile?

Do you run from cold or shun the sun?

Do your feet need slippers and your nose a cozy?

Or is your skin happiest when it's most rosy?

Whether cryophilic or thermophile,

A great state to live in is Michigan,

No matter how you're meteorologically bent,

In five minutes you'll wonder where your weather went!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Isthmus ... Reach

Today's word is "isthmus" ... IS-muh s ... a narrow strip of land, bordered on both sides by water, connecting two larger bodies of land. (Dictionary.com)

Reach

What is this thing that passes,

Between us, like a spark?

It ratifies our longings,

And leaves on us a mark.

We belong to those who gather,

To sing and dance and praise,

Between the water and the altar,

On which we longing gaze.

Our priesthood is a passion,

Christ the isthmus in between

Our terror and our glory,

He has once and always been.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Zenith ... Beam

Today's word is "zenith" ... a highest point or state; culmination. (Dictionary.com)

Beam

Will not love arise?

At its zenith we shall see

Light beyond measure.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Insouciant ... More

Today's word is "insouciant" ... in-SOO-see-uh nt ... Free from concern, worry, or anxiety; carefree; nonchalant. (Dictionary.com)

More

I see the insouciant air,

Of the fortunate ones,

Who, through no great skill,

Have lucky through life run.

And I wonder at the sight,

Of their frivolity,

Do their imaginations roam,

To those who for bread plea?

But I am also blessed,
With enough to share,
And only beg for ears,
To hear their muted prayers.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Pugnacious ... Upstream

Today's word is "pugnacious" ... puhg-NEY-shuh s ... inclined to quarrel or fight readily; quarrelsome; belligerent; combative. (Dictionary.com)

Upstream

How is it we are called to love,

And turn the other cheek,

When bowing to the bully,

Is oft times seen as weak?

And how do you love the noisy ones,

The pugnacious and absurd?

How do you change yourself enough,

To give a gracious word?

If charity's only deep as skin,

With no true inward light,

Then deeds done to win salvation,

Will suffer from sin's bite.

So then let grace fall like rain,

And admit one's foibles sure,

Reflecting mercy's joyful air,

From the source most pure.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Nimiety ... Creation

Today's word is "nimiety" ... ni-MAHY-i-tee ... excess; overabundance.(dictionary.com)

Creation

What is going on?

The earth is full of wonders,

Nimiety reigns.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Cupidity ... Shine

Today's word is "cupidity" ... kyoo-PID-i-tee ... eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something; greed; avarice. (Dictionary.com)

Shine

So much that glitters.

Gaze with rapt cupidity,

Observe each facet.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Vociferous ... Cry

Today's word is "vociferous" ... voh-SIF-er-uh s ... crying out noisily; clamorous. (Dictionary.com)

Cry

Vociferous voices are calling,

Vieing for their point-of-view,

Commercials bloom everywhere,

Comically claiming absolute truth,

Believe them at your peril ... 

Persuasive pundants will pander,

Until your head is spinning 

Like a politician's lines.

This is the season to

Trust your heart.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Selenology ... Cratered

Today's word is "selenology" ... sel-uh-NOL-uh-jee ... The branch of astronomy that deals with the nature and origin of the physical features of the moon. (Dictionary.com)

Cratered
The earth spins around the sun,
It's orbit set, it constant runs,
The moon follows close behind,
Like a hand held by one who's blind.

This smaller orb's lifeless, it seems.
Though it depends on what that means,
A selenologist would say it's so,
But, the man inside the green cheese knows.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Sitzmark ... Fractals

Today's word is "sitzmark" ... SITS-mahrk ... Skiing. a sunken area in the snow marking a backward fall of a skier. (Dictionary.com)

Fractals

I want to leave more,

Than a sitzmark in the snow.
Angel impressions.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Presenteeism ... Shreds

Today's word is "presenteeism" ... prez-uh n-TEE-iz uh m ... the practice of coming to work despite illness, injury, anxiety, etc., often resulting in reduced productivity. (Dictionary.com)

Shreds

Do you work your fingers to the bone?

Are your eyes and ears done in by screens?

Is presenteeism your aim,

With no thought of what it means?

There might be more than grinding stones,

And piling up the dust,

Since nothing else but love remains,

When the rest has gone to rust.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Aposiopesis ... Debate

Today's word is "aposiopesis" ... ap-uh-sahy-uh-PEE-sis ... rhetoric. a sudden breaking off in the midst of a sentence, as if from inability or unwillingness to proceed. (Dictionary.com)

Debate

Sometimes the best thing said is nothing,

But, of course it might depend,

On who you're talking to and why,

And what you're trying to defend.

If their aposiopesis,

Is your sly linguistic aim,

Then every syllable you speak,

Must your argument reclaim.

So when the truth is bursting forth,

And you think your life's at stake,

Speak clearly every certain word,

Until your point they take.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Kerflooey ... Resolve

Today's word is "kerflooey" ... ker-FLOO-ee ... Informal. to cease functioning, especially suddenly and completely; fail. (dictionary.com)

Resolve

Have your intentions gone kerflooey,

Though January is not done?

Have you given up perfection,

Thinking your goals cannot be won?

Every day begins with sunrise,

And many long hours to fill,

As chance chases after chance,

There's still time to work your will.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Aeonian ... Course

Today's word is "aeonian" ... ee-OH-nee-uh n ... eternal; everlasting. (Dictionary.com)

Course

The earth rolls around,

It's aeonian route bright,

We fly unaware.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Ludic ... Giggle

Today's word is "ludic" ... LOO-dik ... playful in an aimless way: the ludic behavior of kittens. (Dictionary.com)

Giggle
Is there time for laughter,
For lightness and ludic thought?
Or is all most serious,
With darkness and danger frought?

A little fun might open us,
Like children hard at play,
To think new thoughts of wonder,
And chase the night away.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Lacustrine ... Soon

Today's word is "lacustrine" ... luh-KUHS-trin ... of or relating to a lake. (Dictionary.com)

Soon
Snowy trees all around,
Icy sidewalks in the town,
Cold that takes your breath away,
Light that ends too soon each day.

I'm ready for a sunny day,
Where lacustrine breezes play,
But I'll be patient a while more,
'Til I'm wading by the shore.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Reify ... Beware

Today's word is "reify" ... REE-uh-fahy ... to convert into or regard as a concrete thing: To reify a concept. (Dictionary.com)

Beware

The sky will darken, 
When evil goals reify.
Then we'll shake and pray.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Hebetude ...

Today's word is "hebitood" ... HEB-i-tood ... The state of being dull; lethargy. (Dictionary.com)

Are you feeling stupefied,

With hebitude infused?

Are your eyelids drooping,

From hearing too much news?

Is it the January twilight,

Or unending politics,

That dulls our reasoned instincts,

Leaving us unfit to pick?

Get some sleep. Eat some food.

Turn off the T.V.

Crank up your favorite music,

'Til negativity you flee.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Bellwether ... Watch

Today's word is "bellwether" ... BEL-weth-er ... a person or thing that shows the existence or direction of a trend; index. a wether or other male sheep that leads the flock, usually bearing a bell. (Dictionary.com)

Watch 

When things are gettin' dicey,

And you're packing up to go,

And you're lookin' for a leader,

To avoid the common flow,

And your watchin' all the portents,

And you're looking for a sign,

Or maybe a bellwether,

So you know that you'll be fine,

Don't forget to take your compass,

And check in with your heart,

So that when the far shore's finally reached,

What's left won't fall apart.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Peripatetic ... Say

Today's word is "peripatetic" ... per-uh-push-TET-ik ... walking or traveling about; itinerant. (Dictionary.com)

Say

Peripatetic wanderers,

Went from town to town,

Speaking news most mystical,

Up the hills and down.

And they were instructed,

To shake dust from their feet,

If the town resisted

Yet not admit defeat.

They walked to their rough ends,

Enduring prison, stripes and more,

So the good news could be spread,

From door to door to door.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Inveigle ... Resist

Today's word is "inveigle" ... in-VEY-guh l, to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements (usually followed by into). (Dictionary.com)

Resist
It's tough to stay strong,
Friends inveigle carelessly,
Prying for weakness.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Cineaste ... Frozen

Today's word is "cineaste" ... SIN-ee-ast ...  any person, especially a director or producer, associated professionally with filmmaking. an aficionado of filmmaking. (Dictionary.com)

Frozen

Rising sun, rolling hills,

Icy trees, bird song shrill,

Ponds of glass, gleaming bright,

Winter's gifts all alight.

What cineaste could make it so, 

Blue painted shadows on the snow,

Blessings frozen 'til the spring,

Waiting for what warmth will bring?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Offing ... Puzzle

Today's word is "offing" ... AW-fing, OF-ing ... the more distant part of the sea seen from the shore, beyond the anchoring ground. in the offing, a. at a distance but within sight. b. in the projected future; likely to happen: A wedding is in the offing. (Dictionary.com)

Puzzle
If we could see far, far ahead,
To where the road bends out-of-sight,
Would this knowledge help or hinder;
Or make us better for its light?

Would knowing what is in the offing,
Bring insecurity or peace?
We who barely know this moment,
Into which we fain release?

Perhaps this daily mystery,
Is meant to help us slow our hearts,
To live and love the lives we're given,
And enjoy each fragile part.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Sybaritic ... Enjoy

Today's word is "sybaritic" ... sib-uh-RIT-ik ... pertaining to or characteristic of a sybarite; characterized by or loving luxury or sensuous pleasure. (Dictionary.com)

Enjoy
A bar of chocolate, deep and dark,
A fuzzy robe, soft rabbit white,
Coffee smooth with melodious note,
Fireside's soothing, warming light.

A bath with bubbles piled high,
Music wafting through the air,
The sybaritic life is fine,
For those who flaunt a monied flair.

But there's a baby's wondering gaze,
A kiss of love, a hug, a sigh,
Faith in more than man's delights,
And mysteries of the earth and sky.

All these things engage and cheer,
Although they cost not dollar one,
And may be enjoyed by all,
With thanks to God, when day is done.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Terpsichorean ...

Today's word is "terpsichorean" ... turp-si-kuh-REE-uh n ... Pertaining to dancing. (Dictionary.com)

Winter

Sitting by the fire,

In terpsichorean light,

Mid January's time,

To put the cold to flight.

Cuddle in the blanket,

Keep your tosies warm,

It's the best way to observe,

And avoid the storm.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Unputdownable ... Yawn

Today's word is "unputdownable" ... uhn-poo t-DOU-nuh-buh l ...  So interesting or suspenseful as to compel reading. (Dictionary.com)

Yawn

Sometimes in the night,

A book unputdownable,

Comforts sleepily.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Kvell ... Slip

Today's word is "kvell" ... kvel ... Slang. to be extraordinarily pleased, to be bursting with pride, as over one's family. (Dictionary.com)

Slip

Little baby in your crib,

Full of fortunes mysteries,

Will you grow into a saint,

Kvelled by everyone you see?

Or will you become, like most of us,

Full of contradictory whims,

Giving in and giving up,

Slave to weaknesses and sin?

The only hope in this mad world,

Is that the God who made us all,

Will in the end hold us in grace,

And save us from our self-made fall.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2015

Salubrious ... Chew

Today's word is "salubrious" ... suh-LOO-bree-uh s ... favorable to or promoting health; healthful. (Dictionary.com)

Chew

In the grocerery I see the things,

Said to lead to salubrious life,

Greens and beans and peppers ...

With lettuce the shelves are rife.

But there is more to health than this,

(Our outside biology),

We need to feed our souls as well ...

A more important ecology.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Prepossessing ... Smooth

Today's word is "prepossessing" ... pree-puh-ZES-ing ... that impresses favorably; engaging or attractive: a confident and prepossessing young man. (dictionary.com)

Smooth
No matter how suave,
Or prepossessing you are,
God revels in love.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Redintegrate ... Now

Today's word is "redintegrate" ... red-IN-ti-greyt ... to make whole again; restore to a perfect state. (Dictionary.com)

Now
This is the time for change,
For lost redintegration,
To unhinge habit's hold,
And new hope to awaken.

The rut we've dug is great,
But with determination,
And God's grace unearned,
We'll begin with revelation.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015

Firstfoot ... January

Today's word is "firstfoot" ... first-foo t ... The first person to cross the threshold on New Year's Day. (Dictionary.com)

January
It was a fine day,
For a firstfoot to arrive,
This dawn of the year.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2015