Nodus ... Pause

Today's word is "nodus" ... NOH-duh s ... a difficult or intricate point, situation, plot, etc. (dictionary.com)

Pause

A difficult knot,

Where the worm turns,

A fork in the road,

That makes your thoughts churn.

A nodus. A point. 

A change in the weather.

A change in a leader,

That just might know better.

Those places of challenge,

Reflect agony,

For those with no vision,

Attempting to see.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Vilipend ... Mercy

Today's word is "vilipend" ... VIL-uh-pend ... to regard or treat as of little value or account; to vilify; depreciate. (Dictionary.com)

Mercy

The deep dark of night,

Tries to vilipend the dawn.

Yet, the sun rises.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Matriculate ... Fight

Today's word is "matriculate" ... muh-TRIK-yuh-leyt ... to enroll in a college or university as a candidate for a degree. (dictionary.com)

Fight

This is a crazy world,

Some say like a school,

Where we try to matriculate,

Not spend our time as fools.

That means learning lessons,

On love and God's good grace,

And until we win the prize,

We will our weakness chase.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Kith ... Close

Kith ... acquaintances, friends, neighbors, or the like; persons living in the same general locality and forming a more or less cohesive group. (Dictionary.com)

Close

The place that we call home,

Is where there's kith and kin,

Those that we can count on,

To love and take us in.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Limacine ... Stretch

Today's word is "limacine" ... LIM-uh-sahyn ... pertaining to or resembling a slug; slug like. (Dictionary.com)

Stretch

Some days are for springing,

Fully formed from bed,

Ready for the daylight,

And what's up ahead.

Others are more limacine,

With hours in need of filling,

Time to do the things you want,

That is, if you are willing!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Truepenny ... Shiny

Today's word is "truepenny" ... TROO-pen-eye ... a trusty, honest fellow. (Dictionary.com)

Shiny

One truepenny please!

Where can they be found you ask?

In dreams and wishes.

Anne Sellleck

Copyright 2016

Miribilia ... Spy

Today's word is "mirabilia" ... me-rah-BIL-i-ah ... Latin. marvels; miracles.

Spy

Wonders gather everywhere,

All around us they abound,

But these mirabilia,

Are not often sought nor found.

This search requires open eyes,

Hearts that burn for small delights,

A spirit's quick and joyful lilt,

And a willful main and might.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Thrummy ... Stalk

Today's word is "thrummy" ... THRUHM-ee... of or abounding in thrums; shaggy or tufted. (Dictionary.com)

Stalk

Little tiny cat,

Bewhiskered and thrummy too,

So full of mayhem!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Venial... Parable

Today's word is "venial" ... VEE-nee-uh l ... able to be forgiven or pardoned; not seriously wrong, as a sin (opposed to mortal). (Dictionary.com)

Parable

They seemed so very trivial,

Those words so quickly spoken,

But once they freely fled,

A friendship lay down, broken.

It was only gossip, venial,

And not even true,

With that kind of outcome,

They've changed their point of view.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Lucubrate ... Questions

Today's word is "lacubrate" ... LOO-kyoo-breyt... to work, write, or study laboriously, especially at night. (Dictionary.com)

Questions

No matter how you lucubrate,

(Every morning noon or night)

Figuring out the universe,

Will remain well out of sight.

The world will keep its secrets,

Unwilling to concede,

Despite your curiosity,

Your feelings or your needs.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Auriferous ... Shine

Today's word is "auriferous" ... aw-RIF-er-uh s ... yielding or containing gold. (Dictionary.com)

Shine

They ran for their lives

When auriferous hills called,

And sifted their dreams.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Stultify ... Caress

Today's word is "stultify" ... STUL-tuh-fahy ... to make, or cause to appear, foolish or ridiculous. (Dictionary.com)

Caress

We seem so afraid,

To speak the truth of things,

And wander all around the point,

Though cruel pain it brings.

We don't want to demean,

Insult or stultify,

But wish to hold each other up,

With words that soar and fly.

Yet, some circumstance demands,

Sharp words swaddled well with care,

To turn worn or wicked hearts,

To the beautiful and fair.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Mesmerism ... Tones

Today's word is "mesmerism" ... MEZ- much-Ruiz-uh m ... a compelling attraction; fascination; hypnosis as induced, according to F. A. Mesmer, through animal magnetism. hypnotism. (Dictionary.com)

Tones

Sitting in a circle,

For some family fun,

Screens are mesmerizing,

Almost everyone.

When did all this happen,

This lack of social grace?

Talking between texts,

Instead of face-to-face.

What will the result be,

In a dozen years,

Will we know each other?

Our inmost dreams and fears?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Opacus... Polaroid

Today's word is "opacus" ... oh-PEY-kus s ... Meteorology. (of a cloud) dense enough to obscure the sun or moon. (Dictionary.com)

Polaroid

Windy hands brush the water;

     their rippled fingerprint all that remains.

A gull swoops. Crickets call.

     Warm sun slants between opacus clouds.

White geese shuttle to and fro,

     concentric circles encompassing lazy paddling.

Voices waft from neighboring spaces,

     comfortable in conversation.

Summer stalks toward autumn,

     open arms beckoning.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

     

Mountebank ... Greater

Today's word is "mountebank" ... MOUN-tuh-bangk ... any charlatan or quack. (Dictionary.com)

Greater

Be as gentle as a dove,

As wise as any snake,

The mountebanks, they do abound,

And will advantage take.

Trust in love, your sure defense,

Discern with God's good grace,

Until our world turns into light,

As we the truth do chase.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Honorific ... Stand

Today's word is "honorific" ... on-uh-RIF-ik ... A title or term of respect.

Stand

Shattering seconds.

A winner's honorific.

Podium madness.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Whigmaleerie ... More

Today's word is "whigmaleerie" ... hwig-muh-LEER-ee... a Whim; notion. (Dictionary.com)

More

Is it a mere whigmaleerie,

To imagine safety sure,

Or in a world with darkened skies,

To hope for some great cure?

There is truth with patience waiting,

For the searching soul,

Who will turn every corner,

Eyes open for this goal.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Sacerdotal ... Altar

Today's word is "sacerdotal" ... sas-er-DOHT-l ... of priests; priestly. (Dictionary.com)

Altar

Everyday. Chances.

Sacerdotal moments come.

Open up your eyes.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Me-tooism ... Build

Today's word is "me-tooism" ... mee-TOO-is-uh m ... the adopting of policies, methods, products, etc. similar or identical to those of a peer, rival, or competitor. (Dictionary.com)

Build

Is there originality,

    anywhere you care to look?

Or just me-tooism,

     in every policy or book?

Is no one even thinking,

     outside the common box,

Where we've seen most everything,

     and thoughts seem completely locked?

Are we doomed to repeat,

     all the things that we have done?

Or can we make a new path,

     On which the good can run?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Blandishment ... Whiskers

Today's word is "blandishment" ... BLAN-dish-muh nt ... something, as an action or speech, that tends to flatter, coax, entice, etc. (dictionary.com)

Whiskers

This little tiny kitty,

Has his kitty wiles,

He runs on little cat paws,

And always makes us smile.

No matter our blandishments,

Offered words or treats,

He contemplates them quickly,

Then retreats on kitty feets.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Lief ... Challenge

Today's word is "lief" ... leef ... gladly; willingly: I would as lief go south as not. (Dictionary.com)

Challenge

How then shall we live?

I'd as lief be brave as a lion,

Only time will tell.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Titivate ... Gild

Today's word is "titivate" ... TIT-uh-veyt ... to make smart or spruce: She titivate do her old dress with a new belt. (Dictionary.com)

Gild

They were men out on a wild lake,

In boats rigged with lures and poles,

Their beards were grown and rugged

As they looked for fish in shoals.

When they came back into the world,

Where the womenfolk did wait,

They had to titivate their clothes,

(A different kind of bait.)

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Simoleon ... Filled

Today's word is "simoleon" ... such-MOH-lee-uh n ... Slang. a dollar. (Dictionary.com)

Filled

A simoleon ...

give me a million more please!

Can I buy enough?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Presentiment ... Search

Today's word is "presentiment" ... Pri-ZEN-Tuh-muh nt ... a feeling or impression that something is about to happen, especially something evil; foreboding. (Dictionary.com)

What is this presentiment,

This aching in my soul?

A fear of the unknown?

Of being less than whole?

Wondering how much to do,

How much that it will take,

To undo each misstep,

Each unforgivable mistake.

They say there is a truest love,

An undeserved grace,

And that you can find it,

In a secret, holy place.

Take me there then quickly,
I want to see and hear,
All the mysterious melodies,
That bring that kingdom near.


Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Spindrift ... Bedazzled

Today's word is "spindrift" .... SPIN-drift ... spray swept by a violent wind along the surface of the sea. (Dictionary.com)

Bedazzled

This is beach beauty,

Spindrift and wild waves running,

Or most peaceful calm.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Bumptious ... Scurry

Today's word is "bumptious" ... BUHMP-shun s ... offensively self-assertive: a bumptious young upstart. (Dictionary.com)

Scurry

How do you begin to talk,

To such a bumptious boy,

Who only wants to run around,

And the place destroy.

Dive into his wondrous world,

See it with his eyes,

What you find may illuminate,

And certainly surprise.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Cosmopolis ... Village

Today's word is "cosmopolis" ... Kos-MOP-uh-lis ... an internationally important city inhabited by many different peoples reflecting a great variety of cultures, attitudes, etc. (dictionary.com)

Village

So is this world all one,

A cosmopolis divine,

Where sweetest peace will reign,

In this very time?

Looking all about,

It's hard to think it's so,

Differences are rife,

Everywhere you go.

But we still have hope,

For something good and strong,

For someone with great courage,

To right so many wrongs.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Paronomasia ... Sounds

Today's word is "paronomasia" ... par-uh-non-MEY-zhuh ... punning; the use of a word in different senses or the use of words similar in sound to achieve a specific effect, as humor or a dual meaning. (Dictionary.com)

Sounds

It's very punny,

This paronomasia,

Pfft. Can't think of more!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Fletcherize ... Ommm

Today's word is "Fletcherize" ... FLECH-uh-rahyz ... to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. (Dictionary.com)

Ommm

If you seem to be wound up,

And can't find any peace,

It might be time to take a breath,

So the craziness can cease.

First think of things most restful,

Of the beautiful and good,

Be sure to Flecherize your food,

And behave the way you should.

Don't be afraid of circumstance,

Keep your tears for things that matter,

Ignore people who say stupid things,

Who gossip, nag and natter.

This should get you on a track,
Where you'll roll along with pleasure,

Your smile will be genuine,
And your days a treasure.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Galluses ... Strain

Today's word is "galluses" ... GAL-uh-siz ... Older Use. a pair of suspenders for trousers. (Dictionary.com)

Strain
All that's holding them
back. From their own embarrassment,
Are their galluses.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2016

Conciliate ... Blind

Today's word is "conciliate" ... kuh n-SIL-eye-yet ...to overcome the distrust or hostility of; placate; win over: to conciliate an angry competitor. (D ictionary.com)

Blind

Conciliation,

From a darkened maze to light,

Walk with bravery.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016