Totsiens ... Cheerio

Today’s word is “totsiens” ... tawt-seenz ... until we meet again; goodbye. (Dictionary.com)

Cheerio

Goodbye old year, totsiens to you!

You’ve run your course from sun to sun,

Your days and weeks and months have run,

Memories safe in you accrued.

From mountain peaks to valleys wide,

We’ve felt emotions, tears and smiles,

Tides of joy and pain are oceans wild,

As we with all the world abide.

We pray for peace in coming time,

We hope in incarnation’s light,

For truth to shine both bold and bright,

And songs of life to loudly chime.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Champers ... Cheers

Today’s word is “chambers” ... sham-perz ... British Slang. Champagne. 

Cheers

Celebration night.

The new year sparkles ahead.

Champers all around!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Gussy ...

Today’s word is “gussy” ... gush-ee ... Informal.to dress in one’s best clothes (usually followed by up) (dictionary.com)

The new year’s coming with festivities,

To welcome in time, which we have not seen,

To hope for the future, we’re on our knees,

Afraid that yesterday’s all we will see.

Our foibles are such they’re bound to repeat,

Our journey seems like it’s doomed from the start,

Each new day appears with choices repleat

The choosing of life is our only part.

So we gussie up; we sparkle and shine,

At least our outward appearance is grand,

Our weakness concealed by feeble design,

It’s our own motives we can’t understand.

Each step will only by God be guided,

In whom we have believed and confided.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Smackeroo ... Ahhh

Today’s word is “smackeroo” ... smack-uh-roo ... a noisy kiss. (Dictionary.com)

Ahhh

A big smackeroo.

Sometimes it’s just the ticket,

And you jump for joy.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Memoirist ... When?

Today’s word is “memoirist” ... mem-er-ist ... a person who has a remarkably retentive memory. (Dictionary.com)

When?
Needed: memorists.
To remember history.
Or we will repeat.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Mulligrubs ... Forward

Today’s word is “mulligrubs” ... muhl-i-gruhbz ... Southern U.S. ill temper; grumpiness. (Dictionary.com)

Forward

The presents are all strewn about,

The feasts are now long gone,

The relatives are back at home,

There’re no more Christmas songs.

Now the mulligrubs abound,

As we think of the new year,

Without the tinseled wrappings,

It seems we’ve lost some cheer.

Back to the news and weather,

And the sorry state of man,

We must remember Jesus’ birth,

Began redemption’s plan.

The cosmos yet expands in space,

But we are not the center,

He is the gravity that holds us,

And allows God’s love to enter.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Noel ... Rejoice

Today’s word is “Noel” ... noh-el ... Christmas. (Dictionary.com)

Rejoice

Sing “Noel! Noel!”

God has shown his heart to us!

Darkness flys away!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Heartstrings ...

Today’s word is “heartstrings” ... hahrt-stringz ... the deepest feelings; the strongest affections. (Dictionary.com)

Christmas

Carols and scriptures,

Small faces by candlelight,

Heartstrings are trembling.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Stodge ... More!

Today’s word is “stodge” ... stoj ... to stuff full, especially with food or drink; gorge. (Dictionary.com)

More!

She stares, expectant.

Eyes wide; watching every move.

Stodged full; yet she waits.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Turtledove ... Wow!

Today’s word is “turtledove” ... tur-tl-duhv ... a sweetheart or beloved mate. (Dictionary.com)

Wow!

12 Days of Christmas,

Partridges and turtledoves.

It’s love overload.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Gew gaw (Outside) ... Hibernal (Hope)

Yesterday’s word was “gewgaws” ... look under hibernal for the poem. Having too much fun looking at Christmas lights with friends and missed the deadline!

Today’s word is “hibernal” ... hahy-bur-nl ... of or relating to winter. (Dictionary.com)

Hope

This hibernal atmosphere has no snow,

Which is needful for spirit’s to awake,

Those Christmas spirit’s who all joyful glow,

And spinning, dance upon the frosty flakes.

In the low southern climes this is not so,

Palm trees with lights must solemnly suffice,

There whispering waves speak quietly and slow,

Not only snowy pines can welcome Christ.

Around the world, on mountained heights or plains,
In the smallest town or crowded city,
People wait in dark for light to come again,
Hoping for love, feeling only pity.

Light will always come like the rising sun,
We’ll light candles and watch the darkness run.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Yeasterday’s word was “gewgaw” ... something gaudy and useless; trinket; bauble. (Dictionary.com)

Outside

We adorn ourselves,

Gewgaws and baubles galore.

Still, our souls hunger.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Joyance ... Cheer

Today’s word is “joyance” ... joi-uhns ... joyous feeling; gladness. (Dictionary.com)

Cheer

Though this season most of all,

Brings colors, lights and cheer,

Joyance is not everywhere,

Sorrow lurks, and tears.

Memories of days gone by,

Of people loved and lost,

Pass silently by inward eye,

Love’s relentless cost.

But silently one winter night,

The babe of sorrows came,

To bring to darkness his great light,

To grace loneliness and pain.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Kaleidoscopic ... Shine

Today’s word is “kaleidoscopic” ... kuh-lahy-duh-skop-ik ... changing form, pattern, color, etc, in a manner suggesting a kaleidoscope. (Dictionary.com)

Shine

Winter gray’s broken,

by kaleidoscopic lights.

Signs of the future.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Grinch ... Argh

Today’s word is “grinch” ... grinch ... a person or thing that spoils or dampens the pleasure of others. (Dictionary.com)

Argh

You can hear them grumbling,

The grinches as they go,

About the crowds and traffic,

(They all move too slow.)

Then there’s all the chores,

Presents to wrap and more,

You have to get the groceries too,

From store to store to store.

Wrap it all around your work,

And time ... you haven’t any,

Put up the tree and tinsel,

Things to do ... there are too many!

How do we make a little space,

Where peace is guaranteed?

Where a breath is taken,

And there is no need for speed.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Vivify ... Open

Today’s word is “vivify” ... viv-uh-fahy ... to enliven; brighten; sharpen. To give life to; animate; quicken.

Open

He came in quiet.

In darkness. To vivify 

All the broken ones.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Supplicate ... Please!

Today’s word is “supplicate” ... suhp-li-keyt ... to pray humbly to; entreat or petition humbly. (Dictionary.com)

Please!
In desperation,
We kneel in supplication ...
Begging love to come.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018

Luculent ... Wrecked

Today’s word is “luculent” ... loo-kyoo-luhnt ... convincing; cogent. (Dictionary.com)

Wrecked

How is it we have fallen, 

For feelings over facts?

Dismissing logic luculent,

Instead, choosing to react.

As each tradition’s jettisoned,

By angry, jilted souls,

A piece of our inheritance,

Is recked on emotion’s shoals.

Each statue, painting, custom,

Which past people chose to love,

Is dismissed by those who have no home,

Or respect for things above.

Once these misguided mariners,

Have destroyed their cities, old,

Where will they go for comfort,

What will protect them from the cold?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Nummary ...

Today’s word is “nummary” ... nuhm-uh-ree ... of or relating to coins or money. (Dictionary.com)

Line

Checking out I wonder,

Which line should I get in?

I’ve got so many items,

And I want to win.

I see someone with presents,

Piled up past the top,

Another has two carts,

This crazy has to stop!

So I take my chances,

Behind a sweet old lady,

Who’s nummary skills are absent,

With piles of coupons, shady.

The analysis takes forever,

The two cart guy is done,

The presents are all bagged,

Again, someone else has won.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Lardy-dardy ... Buy

Today’s word is “lardy-dardy” ... lahr-dee-dahr-dee ... Chiefly British Slang. characterized by excessive elegance. (Dictionary.com)

Buy

Temptations humming all around,

Lardy-dardy clothes and cars,

But, can you hear the holy sound?

It is coming; it’s not far.

Stillness is the aching need,

Of this pulsing, endless race,

It is the soil and the seed,

Which will be the birth of grace.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Ahistorical ...

Today’s word is “ahistorical” ey-hi-stawr-i-kuhl ... without concern for history or historical development indifferent to tradition. (Dictionary.com)

Really

Some of us are not so sure,

About these coming holidays,

Are they merely mythical?

Or ahistorical, as some say.

But then the caroling begins,

And Santa’s nearly everywhere,

And hardened hearts break open wide,

Because the Spirit’s hiding there.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Logogriph ... Dressed

Today’s word is “logogriph” ... law-guh-grif ... an anagram, or a problem involving anagrams. (Dictionary.com)

Dressed

Each ornament placed,

As complex as a logogriph,

And at last, just right.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Rutilant ...

Today’s word is “rutilant” ... root-l-uhnt ... glowing or glittering with ruddy or golden light. (Dictionary.com)

Rustle

Rutilant sky, filled ...

White wings to the horizon,

Whisperings of hope.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Trimmimg ... Soon

Today’s word is “trimming” ... trim-ing ... anything used or serving to decorate or complete. (Dictionary.com)

Soon

Trimmings on the tree,

Stars sparkling in the night sky,

Anticipation.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Scrooch ... Noted

Today’s word is “scrooch” ... Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. to crouch, squeeze, or huddle (usually followed by down, in, or up). (Dictionary.com)

Noted

Snowfall and carols.

We scrooch together and sing.

Warmed by memories.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Athenaeum ... Letters

Today’s word is “athenaeum” ... ath-uh-nee-uhm ... a library or reading room. (Dictionary.com)

Letters

Ideas gather.

There in the athenaeum,

They sing of all things.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Postiche ... Carve

Today’s word is “postiche” ... paw-steesh ... a false hairpiece; pretense; sham; an imitation or substitute. (Dictionary.com)

Carve

Idols, wood and stone,

Postiche, barren of meaning.

We are saved by truth.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Brusquerie ... Prepare

Today’s word is “brusquerie” ... broos-kuh-ree ... abruptness and bluntness in manner; brusqueness. (Dictionary.com)

Prepare

Busy going store to store for gifties,

Finding brusquerie more than good graces,

Hoping for an end to this most swiftly,

With treasures sure to make smiley faces.

There will be hearty feasts we must prepare,

So we sally forth to the grocery aisles,

The cart piled high, around the food we stare,

Thinking we’ve only got another mile.

We’ve the special paper for the wrapping,

The ribbons and the list to get it right,

Though we’d rather be at home and napping,

We’re sure to get it all done by tonight.

Then on us descends silence all around,

The holy speaks, without a single sound.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Beanfest ... Yipee

Today’s word is “beanfest” ... been-feest ... Chiefly British Slang. a celebration or festive occasion, especially when a meal is provided. (Dictionary.com)

Yipee

There’s really nothing better,

Than a free meal and some fun,

A happy, yummy beanfeast,

When we’re full we will be done.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Candelabrum ... Advent

Today’s word is “candelabrum” ... kan-dl-ah-bruhm ... an ornamental branched holder for more than one candle. (Dictionary.com)

Advent

Darkness encroaches,

The candelabrum’s light glows,

We huddle in hope.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2018

Shrievalty ... Over

Today’s word is “shrievalty” ... shree-vuhl-tee ... the office, term or jurisdiction of a sheriff. (Dictionary.com)

Over
Chittering above,
Surveilling his shrievalty,
He’s a squirrel boss.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2018