Weltschmerz ... Patter

Today's word is "Weltschmerz" ... VELT-shmerts ... German. sorrow that one feels and accepts as one's necessary portion in life; sentimental pessimism. (Dictionary.com)

Patter
Dark days and storms,
Savage swirling rain,
All the waltschmerz deepening,
Allowing only pain.

Waken in us hope,
A joy revealed inspite,
Born of forgiving love,
Making all things right.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Nescience ... Blind

Today's word is "nescience" ... NESH-uh ns ... lack of knowledge; ignorance. (Dictionary.com)

Blind
The nescience rolls on,
Unacknowledged facts remain.
Conscience turns its back.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Vulpine ... Sneak

Today's word is "vulpine" ... VUHL-pahyn ... of or resembling a fox; cunning or crafty. (Dictionary.com)

Sneak

Morning, noon, and night,

Vulpine minds work overtime.

Awake peaceful doves!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Coze ... Huddle

Today's word is "coze" ... kohz ... a friendly talk; a chat. (Dictionary.com)

Huddle

They were sitting on the fence,

Having a coze together,

They chirped and squawked and peeped,

Like true birds of a feather.

What they said was mysterious,

(Except between themselves),

And we will never understand,

No matter how we delve.

Those tete-a-tetes which we have,

Are the only ones where we,

Can enjoy the inner circle,

Being official inductees!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Mumpsimus ... Stayed

Today's word is "mumpsimus" ... MUMP-suh-muh s ... adherence to or persistence in an erroneous use of language, memorization, practice, belief, etc.,     out of habit or obstinacy. (Dictionary.com)

Stayed

I am content here,

In my mumpsimus, peaceful.

No need letting go.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Orogeny ... Rock

Today's word is "orogeny" ... aw-ROJ-uh-nee ... Geology. the process of mountain making or upheaval. (Dictionary.com)

Rock

On our most creative days,

We are great magicians,

Making mountains out of molehills,

With little intuition.

Orogeny this excellent,

Comes from practicing routinely,

Though if you practice loudly,

You might be seen, unseemly.

The net effect of this craft,

Is to become surrounded,

By peaks of fear you made yourself,

With thoughts that were unfounded.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Coterminous ... Edge

Today's word is "coterminous" ... koh-TUR-muh-nuh s ... having the same border or covering the same area. (Dictionary.com)

Edge

In early dawn, the light,

Coterminous with darkness,

Mingles unafraid,

No edges frought with sharpness.

For a brief and graying moment,

At the morning's tolling bell,

Whether night or day is winning,

We'd be hard-pressed to tell.

But soon the shadows scatter,

Back into shelters deep.

And. Beams of light come streaking,

Their promises to keep.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Esoterica ... Anchor

Today's word is "esoterica" ... es-uh-TER-I-kuh ... things understood by or meant for a select few; recondite matters or items. (Dictionary.com)

Anchor

Esoterica ...

Places a weight on our hearts.

But love, cuts the string.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2917

Throttlebottom ... Bluster

Today's word is "throttlebottom" ... THROT-l-bot-uh m (yes, really) ... a harmless incompetent in public office. (Dictionary.com)

Bluster

Who's there, running the world?

A throttlebottom, one would think,

By taking a quick glance around ...

Our sphere, balanced on the brink.

War and terror rising,

The sound of swords loud clashing,

Unhappy, confused warriors,

Their words each other slashing.

Yet under whispered threats,

A different heart is beating,

Full of forgiveness' fury,

Ready, set and fleeting.

If you listen, you will hear, 

Beyond the awful noise,

It's offering: peace and plenty,

A space-full of equipoise.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Ort ... Slurp

Today's word is "ort" ... awrt ... a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. Usually, orts. (Dictionary.com)

Slurp

In the restaurant chair,

Eating food, the orts and all.

Nothing goes to waste.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Comportment ... Sing

Today's word is "comportment" ... kuh m-PAWRT-muh nt ... personal bearing or conduct; demeanor; behavior. (Dictionary.com)

Sing

Soul out to the world,

Comportment your only flag.

Wave with abandon!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Anthophilous ... Tulip

Today's word is "anthophilous" ... an-THOF-uh-lu s ... attracted by or living among flowers. (Dictionary.com)

Tulip

Mid-march. Searching grass for bulbs.

Hoping for anthophilous wonder ...

Any sign of approaching spring.

Warm breezes and robin sightings,

Nesting swans and airborne bugs,

Sun, warm enough to shed coats.

We'll willfully forget winter's rage.

And cling to the fantastic notion,

That winter never was, and that delight's eternal.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Overwinter ... Flakes

Today's word is "overwinter" ... oh-ver-WIN-ter ... to pass, spend, or survive the winter. (Dictionary.com)

Flakes

When cold winds begin to blow,

And snowflakes start to fall,

Snowbirds overwinter far away,

Taking cars and clothes and all.

They laugh at all the weather,

The rest of us abide,

Though we are tough and stay here,

When they run and hide.

But while they're sitting in the sun,

Or swimming in the sea,

We're snug inside with family,

Where we want to be.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Vaunting ... Mine

Today's word is "vaunting" ... VAWN-ting ... having a boastfully proud disposition: a vaunting dictator. (Dictionary.com)

Mine

Oh, these stubborn men,

Vaunting supposed power.

Look instead within.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Smaragdine ... Craic

Today's word is "smaragdine" smuh-RAG-din ... emerald-green in color. (Dictionary.com)


Craic
Tiny, crabby men in green,
A Blarney Stone of fame,
Smaragdine hills and valleys,
A brogue in your family name.

'Tis the day of Irish pride,
Of shamrocks and green beer,
A heritage to celebrate,
To St. Patrick raise a cheer!

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Code-switching ... Peek-a-boo

Today's word is "code-switching" ... KOHD-swich-ing ... Sociolinguistics. the use of one dialect, register, accent, or language variety over another, depending on social or cultural context, to project a specific identity: Politicians use code-switching on the campaign trail to connect with their audience. (Dictionary.com)

Peek-a-boo

Hiding your true self ... 

Code-switching through nights and days.

You are transparent.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Cimmerian ... Tilt

Today's word is "cimmerian" ... si-MEER-ee-uh n ... very dark; gloomy. (Dictionary.com)

Tilt

Teetering on the edge,

Through cimmerian darkness peering,

Wondering if there's more,

Wondering who it is that's steering.

Turning to face the sun,

Fighting magnetic feelings,

Believing in someone greater,

Who keeps us from finally reeling.

Fixed on his unseen kingdom,

Hoping in revelation,

Heaven to earth coming down,

Finding our true vocation.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Arithmancy ... Signs

Today's word is "arithmancy" ... AR-ith-man-see ... divination by the use of numbers, especially by the number of letters in names.

Signs

Is our future in the stars,

Constellations beaming?

Or writ to cards thrown in air,

Observations streaming?

Perhaps the way the sun goes 'round,

Or counted waves upon a beach,

Tea leaves forming visions,

Or arithmancy's words will teach.

All the while, through sacred space,

Comes a quiet, whispered voice,

God's words of love for every one,

His wondrous grace, a choice.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Heart-whole ... Coeur

Today's word is "heart-whole" ... HAHRT-hohl ... wholehearted; sincere. (Dictionary.com)

Coeur

What do dreams require,

Those that defy our reason,

As they arise within,

Through all of life's brief seasons?

Time and treasure fall,

Into passion's well,

Heart-whole deeds are then engaged,

Proudly birthing beauty's swell.

These creations, under wing,

Brought forth by toil and joy,

Wait in unrevealed splendor,

Energized by will employed.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Luciferous ... Follow

Today's word is ... loo-SIF-er-uh s bringing or providing light. (Dictionary.com)

Follow
In the lonely dark,
Only luciferous stars shine.
Take one step forward.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Canard ... Fly

Today's word is "canard" ... Kuhn-NAHRD ... a false or baseless, usually derogatory story, report, or rumor. (Dictionary.com)

Fly

The greatest canard ...

Love is not the air you breathe ...

Listen to your heart.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Stravage ... Spring

Today's word is "stravage" ... struh-VEYG ... Scot., Irish, and North England. to wander aimlessly. (Dictionary.com)

Spring

Squirrels pitterpat,

Stravaging about the lawn,

An acorn awaits!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Newspeak ... Report

Today's word is "newspeak" ... NOO-speek ... (sometimes initial capital letter) an official or semiofficial style of writing or saying one thing in the guise of its opposite, especially in order to serve a political or ideological cause while pretending to be objective as in referring to "increased taxation" as "revenue enhancement." (Dictionary.com)

Report

I see the truth marching,

Down a narrow middle way,

While on either side,

Pundits speak and play.

Their newspeak is annoying,

As they nimbly bob and weave,

While we humble persons,

Only want the thing they leave.

Where are you brave, intrepid ones,

Who delve in deep for facts,

And give us thoughtful messages,

Before you hastily react?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Portmanteau ... Enfant

Today's word is "portmanteau" ... pawrt-MAN-toh ... a word made by putting together parts of other words, as motel, made from motor and hotel. (Dictionary.com)

Enfant

Human portmanteau ... 

Chromesomes and stardust swirl,

One plus one, is one.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Middlescence ...

Today's word is "middlescence" ... mid-l-ES-uh ns ... the middle-age period of life, especially when considered a difficult time of self-doubt and readjustment. (Dictionary.com)

Dropped into middlescence,

One might be surprized to find,

All assumed things meaningful,

Were just a trick of mind.

A job with great prestige,

A shiny rumbling car,

The astonishment of peers,

Gazing from afar.

All melt before great questions,

Of purpose, love and fate,

Of friends and family circles,

And love of God that's great.

Perhaps the middle years,

Bring necessary space,

To realign and reignite,

From a fresh launching place.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Fusillade ... Cease

Today's word is "fusillade" ... FYOO-suh-leyd ... a general discharge or outpouring of anything. (Dictionary.com)

Cease

Words are flying all around,

A fusillade of sound,

Pouring alphabets into our heads,

Overflowing sky and ground.

Where then can we find the peace,

Which confounds brillant minds,

Allowing space for souls to breathe,

And deeper truths to find?

Blest are those whose anger's held,

Whose forgiveness is revealed,

Who find a new and precious grace,

Which in their hearts is sealed.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Salaam ... Revelation

Today's word "salaam" ... suh-LAHM ... a salutation meaning "peace," used especially in Islamic countries. (Dictionary.com)

Revelation

Peace be unto you,

Not salaam to friends alone,

But to all mankind.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2016

Lotus-eater ... Will

Today's word is "lotus-eater" ... LOH-tuh s-ee-ter ... a person who leads a life of dreamy, indolent ease, indifferent to the busy world; daydreamer. (Dictionary.com)

Will

Ah, to be a lotus-eater,

Whiling away the day,

Thinking happy, winsome thoughts,

And spending time at play.

No matter what the terrors,

Conjured by the world,

Golden images would swallow them,

In their descriminating swirl.

Ignorance is bliss, they say,

But in the tale of man,

The right to daydream all the day,

Is won by those who take a stand.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Hydra ... Twisted

Today's word is "hydra" ... HAHY-druh ... a persistent or many-sided problem that presents new obstacles as soon as one aspect is solved. (Dictionary.com)

Twisted

Many headed hydra,

Thinking only of great harm,

Wrapping 'round and in and out,

Causing immense alarm.

Who can follow all its turns,

Or fight its secret ways,

Discover its deceptive drive,

Whatever it may say?

It takes truth and honor,

A saint's sense of holy need,

To remain steadfast,

And to God with purpose plead.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Crocodilians ... Trusty

Today's word is "crocodilian" ... krok-uh-DIL-ee-uh n ... hypocritical; insincere. of, like, or pertaining to a crocodile. (Dictionary.com)

Trusty

His eyes were squinty,

His smile crocodilian ...

Teeth ... a dental dream.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Malfeasance ... Abracadabra

Today's word is "malfesance" ... mal-FEE-zuh ns ... Law. the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law. (Dictionary.com)

Abracadabra

The weather's a magician,

Turning winter into spring,

Then just as you're adjusting,

Winding up cold wind that rings.

That meteorological malfeasance,

Should not be allowed,

We no doubt know our seasons,

And of that we are proud.

But now the boots and mittens,

Shovels, rakes and hoes,

Sit together in a puddle,

Awaiting sun, or rain, or snow.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017