Elysium ... Look

Today's word is "Elysium" ... ih-lizh-ee-uh m ... any place or state of perfect happiness; paradise. also called Elysian Fields. Classical Mythology the abode of
the blessed after death. (Dictionary.com)

Look

We are always searching,

For that perfect place,

Elysium, or heaven,

Where we can live in grace.

Where anxiety is missing,

And fear vanishes away,

And where every day you feel,

Like a little child at play.

Perhaps one day we'll find it,

When we make this world our peace,

Released from sin by God's love,

A kind and safe release.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Lineament ... Conversation

Today's word is "lineament" ... lin-ee-uh-muh nt ... Often, lineaments. a feature or detail of a face, body, or figure, considered with respect to its outline or contour. Usually, lineaments. distinguishing features; distinctive characteristics. (Dictionary.com)

Conversation

They walked a long, long way together,

     speaking of the matters of the day,

Wondering how the stranger,

     could be so unaware.

Then he spoke. Of prophets and of history.

     And secrets known only to a few.

Still, neither his lineaments, nor stature,

     reminded them of any long-lost friend.

Until, at last, the bread was broken. And they sat

     in stunned recognition, as he disappeared.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Hespiridium ... Expel

Today's word is "hespiridium" ... hes-puh-rid-ee-uhm ... Botony. The fruit of a citrus plant, as of an orange. (Dictionary.com)

Exile

Far from the edge of Oceana,

Where dragons and fairies play,

We mortals made of earth,

Live out our counted days.

We began in paradise,

With hesperidian fruited trees,

And more blessings than we knew,

As we held the golden key.

Then came will-full desire,

And we painted black our sky,

As we left that garden pure,

With sad and mournful cry.

No use in contemplating,

Our former perfect place,

Only a holy turning,

Will bring us back to grace.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Ruth ... Rain

Today's word is "ruth" ... rooth ... pity or compassion; sorrow or grief; self-reproach; contrition; remorse. (Dictionary.com)

Rain

Flooded homes and roads,

Sadness and ruth on faces,

Obliterated peace,

Unrecognizable places.

Water swallows all,

For class has no regard,

The next warm bed or meal,

Disappears yard, by yard, by yard.

Hoped for rescue comes,

Embodied in friends and neighbors,

And prayers from those unknown,

Who through compassion labor.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Verisimilar ... Blink

Today's word is "verisimilar" ver-uh-sim-uh-ler ... having the appearance of truth; likely; probable. (Dictionary.com)

Blink

The caterpillar creeps along,

Looking for a tasty leaf,

Verisimilar eyes adorn his back,

From predators he has relief.

He is not at all aware,

Of the pattern which protects him,

Nor how it was created,

By will or some strange whim.

So he inches through his life,

Oblivious to facts,

Kept from harm by forces,

Which keep him from attack.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Funster ...

Today's word is "funster" ... fuhn-ster ... a person who creates or seeks fun, as a comedian or reveler. (Dictionary.com)

Sometimes life is gloomy,

And when the darkness falls,

On our funster friends,

We may quickly make a call.

If there's a thread of hope,

Or truthful kernel to be found,

These are the helpful ones,

To whom they will be bound.

We lift each other up,

So all will happily retain,

The spirit and the grace,

That is evil's bane.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Incogitant ... Listen

Today's word is "incogitant" ... in-koj-i-tuh nt ... thoughtless; inconsiderate. not having the faculty of thought. (Dictionary.com)

Listen

Would you mind explaining,

     those reasons that you have,

for tearing down old ways and plans,

     for deciding that your way is best ...

          for everyone?

Hiding your face behind your hand,

     And wielding that weapon in the other,

          does not clarify your anger ...

               it just makes me wonder.

Sit down with me awhile.

     Help me to understand how wronged

          you are. And why you believe

               it's my fault.

Surely we can look into each other's eyes,

     and debate our points of view ...

and you can explain to me why what I think,

     is without merit. Incogitant. Illogical. Useless.

Come on now. Put down your club. Come with me.

     We'll have coffee and chat.

          About the state of the world.

     And about why nothing's working out

          the way you'd hoped.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Gravid ... Spark

Today's word is "gravid" ... grav-id ... pregnant. (Dictionary.com)

Spark

This world cannot stop

Gravid possibilities.

Light ends all darkness.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Quaquaversal ... Grounded

Today's word is "quaquaversal" ... kwey-kwuh-vur-suh l ... (of a geological formation) sloping downward from the center in all directions. (Dictionary.com)

Grounded

From the quaquaversal anthill,

The ants do come and go,

Working every moment,

(Unless there's rain or snow.)

Of strategic goals they have no need,

No charts of progress made,

Yet they build their monuments,

In every wood and glade.

Their purpose is opaque to them,

Instinct commands their ways,

Nevertheless they carry on,

And have no time for play.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Comstockery ... Teeter

Today's word is "Comstockery" ... kuhm-stok-uh-ree ... overzealous moral censorship of the fine arts and literature, often mistaking outspokenly honest works for salacious ones. (Dictionary.com)

Teeter

Right is in the beholder's eye,

And Comstockery runs wild,

When blinded by ideology,

Others are reviled.

There is no calm or balance,

No peace within this storm,

No giving way of sacred space,

(And now it seems the norm.)

Step back from the nearing ledge,

Or like a stone you'll fall,
Your chances of surviving,
Are really very small.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Banausic ... Gone

Today's word is "banausic" ... buh-naw-sik ... serving utilitarian purposes only; mechanical; practical. (Dictionary.com)

Gone

The sun disappeared.

No banaustic trick was that!

God's moon magic reigns!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Daymare ... Glitch

Today's word is "daymare" ... dey-mair ... a distressing experience, similar to a bad dream, occurring while one is awake. (Dictionary.com)

Glitch

It wasn't a mere phantom,

But a thought that had gone bad,

Involving the unthinkable,

And yet that's what I had.

A scarry made-up incident,

That for a moment became real,

A daymare of intensity,

Which had come my peace to steal.

Was it my system that was glitching,

Or something else far worse?

Was I accentially rehearsing,

Good things in reverse?

I vow to think then, on the lovely,

And truthful, honest things,

To tame wild dreams of night or day,

And the disquiet which they bring.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Theine ... Food

Today's word is "theine" ... thee-een ... caffeine, especially in tea. (Dictionary.com)

Food

All this talk of diet,

Is making me feel tired,

So get the coffee and the tea,

The theine will get me wired!

First it's fruits and vegetables,

That will save the day,

Then no bready gluten,

Or fatty things they say.

No ice cream, meat or cheeses,

No cookies, cakes or cream,

What I can safely enjoy,

Is found only in my dreams!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Confabulate ... Verbose!

Today's word is "kuh n-fab-yuh-leyt ... to converse informally; chat. (Dictionary.com)

Verbose!
The woods are alive!
Cicadas confabulate ... 
What are they saying?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Kibitzer ... Help

Today's word is "kibitzer" ... kib-it-ser ... a giver of uninvited or unwanted advice. (Dictionary.com)

Help

Why are constellations clustered so?

I'd like pictures with more meaning;

And a smaller, closer sun,

Would make much better beaming.

Animals ... there are too many,

It would be better with far less,

They shed and chase eachother,

And really make a mess.

Humans? Don't get me started!

They've hardly any sense.

They jabber and they fight and scream.

They only make me tense!

And what's with floods and hurricanes,

And diseases floating free?

Surely there is no reason,

For the multitude we see!

If I could have been there,

At the beginning of all things,

I'd have pointed out perfection,

That's what a good kibitzer brings!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Paludal ... Gifts

Today's word is "paludal" ... puh-lood-l ... of or relating to marshes; produced by marshes, as miasma or disease. (Dictionary.com)

Gifts
Fine they are, the mountains high,
With snowy caps of snow,
Where pines up to the tree line,
Scent the air and grow.

Ocean beaches lure the soul,
With rhythmic, pulsing sound,
Calming restive impulses,
Teasing stress to ground.

Breathless desserts silently call,
Paludal marshes sag and sing,
All the landscapes of the earth,
With fervor, forth their graces bring.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Ululate ...

Today's word is "ululate" ... uhl-yuh-leyt ... to lament loudly and shrilly; to howl, as a dog or a wolf; hoot, as an owl; to utter howling sounds, as in shrill, wordless lamentation. (Dictionary.com)

Listen
Still. By the window.
Peering into the darkened street,
Holding still. Breath caught.
Deciding direction by ear.
The waves of ululation closing in,
Then backing off.
Then yipping. Short. Sharp. Barks.
Coyotes. So close. 
I'm one of the pack. What if I answered?
Would they include me
In their celebration?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Iconoclastic ... Face

Today's word is "iconoclastic" ... ahy-kon-uh-klas-tik ... attacking or ignoring cherished beliefs and long-held traditions, etc., as being based on error, superstition, or lack of creativity. (Dictionary.com)

Face

The clock ticks stalwart on,

As iconoclasts ply their trade,

Tearing down ideals,

While into the future they wade.

Mystery's more attractive,

Than old frozen mores,

Which should be forgotten,

(They're just an old, old story.)

Thinking that something new,

Is always something better,

They shock and scandalize,

Designing their own fetters.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Arvo ... Whisper

Today's word is "arvo" ... ahr-voh ... Australian Slang. Afternoon.

Whisper

Let's meet in the arvo ...
(There's time for the important.)
Secrets can be told.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2917

Sapiosexual ... Allure

Today's word is "sapiosexual" ... sey-pee-oh-sek-shoo-uh l ... a person who finds intelligence to be a sexually attractive quality in others. (Dictionary.com)

Allure

Like a bee to honey,

Or a sapiosexual to brain,

So my closed umbrella,

Calls to wind and rain.

If I held it open,

I'm certain sun would shine,

My magical umbrella,

Is meteorologly inclined!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Nimbus ...

Today's word is "nimbus" ... nim-buh s ... a cloud, aura, atmosphere, etc., surrounding a person or thing. (Dictionary.com)

Here

Within the nimbus,

Calm softly blocks all sadness.

Breathe peace. Breathe peace. Breathe.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Palindrome ...

Today's word is "palindrome" ... pal-in-drohm ... a word, line, verse, number, sentence, etc., reading the same backward as forward. Ex: noon, civic, kayak. (Dictionary.com)

Always

The sphere that over arches time,

Secrets the final Word,

That was, and is, and shall become,

But that for now, is blurred.

He is for us a palindrome,

The same for all to see,

Alpha and omega, both,

Who will always be.

We cannot abide such mystery,

And yet our hope is hid,

In everything he was and is,

In everything he did.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Ventifact ... Subtract

Today's word is "ventifact" ... ven-tuh-fakt ... Geology. a pebble that has been faceted, grooved, and polished by the erosive action of wind-driven sand. (Dictionary.com)

Subtract

Life like a tarnished ventifact,

Seems pitted, scarred and grooved,

By cruel and random forces,

Which have their power proved.

Much can be said of such a stone,

Carved thus by nature's hand,

When bold, surprising beauty,

Defiantly still stands.

Tracing fingers on its face,

Spell how wind and rain have run,

The remaining glory testifies,

To its time beneath the sun.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Mussitation ... Reverse

Today's word is "mussitation" ... muhs-i-tey-shuh n ... muttering; mumbling; murmuring. (Dictionary.com)

Reverse

Upside down and inside out,

Events appear to be ...

The things which we once held in awe,

Are no longer key.

Symbols of the patriots,

Faith beyond ourselves,

The basics of biology,

Have no reasons which compel.

Mussatations growing,

As prayers rise to the sky,

Aching for redemption,

Longing for reply.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Fructify ... Rise

Today's word is "fructify" ... to bear fruit; become fruitful. (Dictionary.com)

Rise

In the beginning tale of time,

For the great good of all,

The ground was told to fructify,

And spread abundance 'round.

Man came and ate and prospered,

And farmed, and creatures tamed,

He tilled and grew in wonder,

And in God's name proclaimed.

Some day far from cynic's eyes,

We will behold once more,

God's verdant sphere with grace renewed,

And earth an open door.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Palsy-walsy ... Open

Today's word is "palsy-walsy"  ... pal-zee-wal-zee ...Slang. Friendly or appearing to be friendly in a very intimate or hearty way.

Open

Look at that palsy-walsy one,
Kissing cheeks and bowing low,
Trying to make the people love him,
Everywhere he goes.

He seems to think his fortune,
Is tied to their good grace,
And so he pastes a silly smile,
All across his face.

If only he would realize,
The good he has inside,
He wouldn't seek this reassurance,
To bolster up his pride.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2017

Consuetude ... Yet

Today's word is "consuetude" ... kon-swi-tood ... custom, especially as having legal force. (Dictionary.com)

Yet

Love is still reigning,

Though without consuetude.

Light breaking darkness.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Hobbyhorse ... Ride

Today's word is "hobbyhorse" ... hob-ee-hawrs ... a pet idea or project. (Dictionary.com)

Ride

So single minded ...

Once upon his hobbyhorse,

Nothing else matters.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Paladin ... Grace

Today's word is "paladin" ... pal-uh-din ... any determined advocate or defender of a noble cause. (Dictionary.com)

Grace

Where's our paladin?

The wilderness surrounds us.

We pray for relief.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Dorp ... Sing

Today's word is "dorp" ... dawrp ... a village; hamlet. (Dictionary.com)

Sing

Through the tiny dorp,

Echo loud cicada songs,

Summer's symphony!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017

Anoesis ... Sensate

Today's word is "anoesis" ... an-oh-ee-sis ... a state of mind consisting of pure sensation or emotion without cognitive content. (dictionary.com)

Sensate

Walking smooth beach sand,

Leaving fated footsteps behind

To be swept away by waves.

Sunlight lingers on skin,

A breeze rustles softly

Feet bathed in warm foam.

Squinting against the glare,

Anoesis seeps in,

Worries slips away.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2017