Kosher ... Rules

Today’s word is “kosher” ... koh-sher ... Informal. a. Proper; legitimate. b. genuine; authentic. (Dictionary.com)

Rules 
Willingly kosher:
Circumference is protection.
Abide in safety.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Sepulcher .... Friday

Today’s word is “sepulcher” ... a tomb, grave, or burial place. (Dictionary.com)

Friday

Dark and dank,

Hopeless stone,

No breath of life,

Come out! Come out!

Don’t leave us here,

All alone,

Touch us please,

Come out! Come out!

End of things,

End of love,

Sepulcher of God,

Come out! Come out!

Promise given,

From above,

We still wait here,

Come out! Come out!

Anne aselleck

Copyright 2018

Gadzookery ... Fancy

Today’s word is “gadzookery” ... gad-zoo-kuh-ree ... British. the use or overuse of period-specific or archaic expressions, as in a historical novel. (Dictionary.com)

Fancy
Words that are uneasy,
Gadzookery at best,
Do not enlighten anyone,
And should be put to rest.

But the truth is welcome,
And may ease our troubled minds,
With a bit of wisdom,
The confusion we’ll unwind.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Timeserver ... Focus

Today’s word is “timeserver” ... tahym-sur-ver ... a person who shapes his or her conduct to conform to the opinions of the time or of persons in power, especially for selfish ends. (Dictionary.com)

Focus

Shapeshifters and time servers,

Will not a effort make,

Old habits and directions,

Still their ancient courses take.

The young will raise their voices,

But more will be required,

To undo past mistakes,

And relight passion’s fire.

Only eternal principles,

Will keep straight our path,

And banish all the chaos,

In struggle’s aftermath.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Kismet ... Choice

Today’s word is “kismet” ... kiz-mit ... fate; destiny. (Dictionary.com)

Choice
Wandering along,
Taking this fork or that,
Is kismet a thing?
Or mere caveat?

The choices that we make,
Lead to our future life,
Looking back we see,
Both, the joy and strife.

As we forward gaze,
Maybe a pause is needed,
To hone our good ideas,
Before they’re wholly heeded.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Oriflamme ... March

Today’s word is “oriflamme” ... awr-uh-flam ... any flag, banner, or standard, especially one that serves as a rallying point or symbol. (Dictionary.com)

March
Raise your oriflamme,
Sing your anthem of purpose.
Let faith guide your steps.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Ariose ... Fling

Today’s word is “ariose” ... ar-ee-ohs ... characterized by melody; songlike. (Dictionary.com)

Fling

In the darkness of the night,

Before dark terrors take to flight,

All there is of hope seems small,

As if there is no hope at all.

But we wait with bated breath,

For one who’ll improve the warp and weft,

Of our turmoil and unease,

Someone real who does not tease.

When we hear the ariose cry,

Of the one who’s coming nigh,

A shout will echo through the land,

And those undone will finally stand.

When this rescue will descend,

Is not within our blinded ken,

But in the end we know for sure,

We shall be seen, both whole and pure.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Genethliac ... Matchless

Today’s word is “genethliac” ... juh-neth-lee-ak ... Astrology. of or relating to birthdays or to the position of the stars at one’s birth. (Dictionary.com)

Matchless

Even twins differ,

Genethliac mystery ... 

God creates each one.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Deracinate ... Toddle

Today’s word is “deracinate” ... dih-ras-uh-neyt ... to isolate or alienate (a person) from a native or customary culture or environment. (Dictionary.com)

Toddle

A baby in a restaurant,

Deracinated from his home,

Trapped in a little wooden chair,

Not allowed to play or roam.

Crayons and crackers to placate,

Parents waiting, ill at ease,

For the little one to scream,

No matter how they try to please.

Ah, for a floor all full of toys,

And room to crawl and play,

French fries will not be enough,

To keep these tempting thoughts at bay!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Solitudinarian ... I

Today’s word is “solitudinarian” ... sol-i-tood-n-air-we-uh n ... a person who seeks solitude; recluse. (Dictionary.com)

I

The crowds are just too noisy,

Conversations everywhere,

People keep trying to engage,

Or they chuckle and they stare.

As a solitudinarian,

I’ve decided to stay quiet,

Maybe even hide away,

To avoid the clamor and the riot.

What is there to entertain,

That I can not find alone?

And if I do get lonely, well,

There’s the iPad and my phone.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Disjune ... Wake

Today’s word is “disjune” ... disjune ... Scot. Obsolete. breakfast. (Dictionary.com)

Wake

The fast is broken,

A disjune before the sun.

Life begins again.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Pullulate ... Amaze

Today’s word is “pullulate” ... puhl-yuh-leyt ... to breed, produce, or create rapidly.(dictionary.com)

Amaze

Hidden under sticks and dirt,

Beneath old autumnal leaves,

Are secrets ready to evolve,

And winter’s whims deceive.

The tiny crocus raises up,

Her colors wound inside,

Tulip greens too claim their space,

Within, buds multi-colored dyed.

We walk, and one day, in surprise,

We realize the promised spring,

Everywhere creation pullulates,

Rejoicing as she sings.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Dornick ... Throw

Today’s word is “dornick” ... dawr-nik ... a small stone that is easy to throw. (Dictionary.com)

Throw

Giants loom above,

But look! Dornicks can fell them.

Now, aim carefully.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Polemology ... Fight

Today’s word is “polemology” ... poh-luh-mol-uh-jee ... the analysis of human conflict and war, particularly international war. (Dictionary.com)

Fight

If we must study something,
Let it not be war,
If all we have is polemology,
How will we hope for more?

There must be a better theme,
To which we may cling,
Love and all of its delights,
Would to us goodness bring.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Craic ... Play

Today’s word is “craic” ... krak ... fun and entertainment, especially good conversation and company (often preceded by the) (dictionary.com)

Play

Looking for relief.

The craic must be here somewhere.

Or, make it yourself!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Bunglesome ... Cool

Today’s word is “bunglesome” ... buhng-guh l-suh m ... clumsy or awkward. (Dictionary.com)

Cool

You seen them slip and slide,

Fall from balconies and stairs,

Despite their reputation,

Cats really lack some flair.

They tippy-toe on fences,

Only to fall down,

Bunglesome they are,

Silly, fluffy, awkward clowns.

Yet, they are so elegant,

And recover quickly too,

As if they meant to tumble,

And that their accidents are few.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Dekko ... Beam

Today’s word is “dekko” ... deck-oh ... British Slang. a look or glance. (Dictionary.com)

Beam

Sit under the moon.

Take a dekko at the sky.

Sing the starry host!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Circumferential ... Fold

Today’s word is “circumferential” ... ser-kuhm-fun-ren-shush l ... surrounding; lying along the outskirts; of, at, or near the circumference. (Dictionary.com)

Fold

The sheep were wandering, far from home,

Onto rocky ledges,

They got lost on rugged roads,

And in thick thorny hedges.

They did not know that in their pain,

The Shepherd was close by,

Conferentially observing,

With crooked smile, and sigh.

Safe all along and yet they bleat,

Unaware of help at hand,

A few more rescues may be required,

Before they understand.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Busticate ... Cracked

Today’s word is “busticate” ... Buhs-ti-keyt ... Northern U.S. to break into pieces. (Dictionary.com)

Cracked

Busticate those eggs,

They’re better with no shell,

You can beat them too,

And fry them; they’ll be swell.

You can also break a silence,

With a smile or a joke,

And you’ll get more mileage,

Than just scrambling a yolk.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Paseo ... Soon

Today’s word is “paseo” ... pah-sey-oh ... a slow, idle, or leisurely walk or stroll. (Dictionary.com)

Soon

Longing for sunshine,

A paseo seems a cure.

Beaches are waiting.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Behindhand ... Tired

Today’s word is “behindhand” ... bih-hahynd-hand ... late; tardy. (Dictionary.com)

Tired
The clocks are an hour ahead of themselves,
And we are all behindhand,
For a week at least,
We won’t know whether to sleep or stand.

Whose idea was it,
To confuse us twice a year?
The sun certainly does not cater
To us, or our hopes and fears.

So we’ll walk around bleary eyed,
Desperate for some sleep,
Until we all adjust,
We’ll keep from counting sheep.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Krummholz ... Rough

Today’s word is “krummholz” ... kroo m-hohlts ... a forest of stunted trees near the timber line on a mountain. (Dictionary.com)

Rough
They’ve taken the worst, those twisted trees,
Guarding the mountain crown,
They dig into the soil with ragged claw,
To keep from tumbling down.

This krummholz is the last defense,
Of the forest’s greening edge,
Above the scrub hangs on for life,
And nearby, eagles fledge.

Though they’re tattered, these trees survive,
Against all earthly odds,
Their strength grown in adversity,
Their beauty enhanced by flaws.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Demonym ... See

Today’s word is “demonym” ... dem-uh-nim ... the name used for the people who live in a particular country, state, or other locality: Two demonyms for the residents of Michigan are Michigander and Michiganian. (Dictionary.com)

See

What is in a name?

A demonym or label?

A way to identify,

Differentiate, if able.

It’s a bit more intimate,

Than Mr., Ms., or Miss,

But does not reveal,

Qualities by nature kissed.

But if the name is whispered,

In the quiet of the night,

By God, or friend or lover,

The heart is flamed with light.

Anne Selleck

Copyrighted 2018

Minerva ... Mistaken

Today’s word is “Minerva” ... mi-nur-vuh ... a woman of great wisdom. (Dictionary.com)

Mistaken

Do the people call,

For Minerva and wisdom?

In the end, love wins.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Benighted ... Dusk

Today’s word is “benighted” ... bih-nahy-tid ... intellectually or morally ignorant; unenlightened. (Dictionary.com)

Dusk

The benighted people feel,

Beam by beam the light recede,

Bit by bit their world is failing,

Despite their honest, simple needs.

Things seemed simple in the past,

Morality was tried and true,

Standards stood as if in stone,

Those who ignored them were but few.

When we’re stripped down to the core,

What humanity remains?

If all is relativity,

One word sums up; it is insane.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Ergophobia ... Shirk

Today’s word is “ergophobia” ... ur-guh-doh-bee-uh ... an abnormal fear of work. (Dictionary.com)

Shirk

No work in a cubicle,

No work on the line,

No work out in the open,

No work at all is fine.

The people all are scary,

The assignments much to hard,

Staying somewhere the whole day,

Will keep you on your guard.

Ergoriphobia’s not funny,

To those within its sway,

It takes enormous courage,

To make it through the day.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Peculate ... Dismal

Today’s word is “peculate” ... pek-yuh-leyt ... to steal or take dishonestly (money, especially public funds, or property entrusted to one’s care). (Dictionary.com)

Dismal

At the very start,

Politicians must have heart,

They want to fix and heal,

Not peculate and deal.

But something seems to change,

And they subtly rearrange,

Their reasons for their serving,

So they begin their swerving.

It’s hard to stay upright,

And the current fight,

If integrity’s so small,

It’s hardly there at all.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Seriocomic ... What

Today’s word is “seriocomic” ... seer-ee-oh-kom-ik ... partly serious and partly comic. (Dictionary.com)

What

There’s little satisfaction,

When a movie can’t decide,

Whether tragedy or comedy,

Will be its goal and guide.

The seriocomic is thus born,

And as we laugh and cry,

We wonder in confusion,

As it ends with tearful, happy sigh.

On consideration,

Life is full of smiles and tears,

And all of us must learn to cope,

With happiness and fear.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Tzimmes ... Fireworks

Today’s word is “tzimmes” ... tsim-is ... fuss; uproar; hullabaloo. (Dictionary.com)

Fireworks

Not much chance for peace,

Tzimmes occupies the space.

Order must be brought.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Phub ... Ignored

Today’s word is “phub” ... Slang. to ignore (a person or one’s surroundings) when in a social situation by busying oneself with a phone or other mobile device. (Dictionary.com)

Ignored

We’re all together alone,

Concentrating on our phones,

“Oh, you’re important to me!

But, there’s something I have to see!”

All this phubbing surely must end,

Or we’ll be taken around the bend,

If the electricity goes out,

We’ll follow with a whimper, not a shout.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018