Sesquipedalian ... Syntax

Today’s word “sesquipedalian” ... ses-kwi-pi-dey-lee-uhn ... given to using long words. (Dictionary.com)

Syntax
Plain speech I understand, so please,

Don’t abuse your sesquipedalian vocabulary.

Also, newly concocted words make my head spin,

(Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is an exception.)

And when it come to ideas, I’m afraid

I’m a bit old-fashioned, formed as I have been

By long dead relatives, church and traditions

Which required thinking before speaking, and

Thanks before eating.

It’s difficult for some of us, as events spin

Totally out of our orbit, to grasp what good

There might be in chaos and the dismantling 

Of everything we’ve esteemed in memory.

It might be that all new ideas are right and good,

But the circular nature of history brings round

The possibility that we may not be able to trust

Those who are busy rewriting the past.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Clown Car ... News

Today’s word is “clown car” ... kloun kahr ... a group whose size seems absurdly excessive for the purported function of the group, and whose effectiveness is therefore questionable. (Dictionary.com)

News

Twenty four hours a day,

Talking heads are bragging,

Tongues endlessly wagging,

Spouting words to sway.

Ideas cram their clown car,

As they speak impending doom,

They surround us in our rooms,

There is no door ajar.

If we believe these notions,

We’ll cause our own demise,

There’ll be no peaceful prize,

We’ll have put chaos into motion.

So think upon the things,

That calm and bring you cheer,

Which banish all your fear,

And make you smile and sing.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Brainchild ... Independent

Today’s word is “brainchild” ... a product of one’s creative work or thought. (Dictionary.com)

Independent 
When your brainchild grows,
And becomes a teenager,
Hang on to your hat!

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Groupthink ... Dawn

Today’s word is “groupthink” ... groop-thingk ... the lack of individual creativity, or of a sense of personal responsibility, that is sometimes characteristic of group interaction. (Dictionary.com)

Dawn
Heavy gray sky lays quiet as sifting surf 
     whispers good morning to early walkers.
A porpoise breaks the surface, 
     then disappears.
Suddenly, silently, a squadron of pelicans 
     cuts through the mist in low formation,
          prehistoric group think holding them 
               together as they fly, motionless,
                     leaving only awe in their wake.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Pseudepigraphy ... Ground

Today’s word is “pseudepigrapha” ... soo-duh-pig-ruh-fee ... the false ascription of a piece of writing to an author. (Dictionary.com)

Ground

A question mark hangs 

     above the world.

Is shape unmistakable.

We look at it in wonder ... 

     it wasn’t there yesterday.

Yesterday made sense.

    The sky was blue. 

          Gravity held us down.

But today, all solid things seem to float,

     and some are becoming almost invisible.

We throw a rope to lasso them

     and tie them back to earth.

But even the earth shifts, its unyielding rock 

     as false as pseudepigrapha.

We call for heaven’s help. For rescue.

     For a hand-hold. For salvation.

Listening for a still, small voice.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Frisson ... Again

Today’s word is “frisson” ... French. free-sawn. A sudden, passing feeling of excitement.; a shudder of emotion; thrill. (Dictionary.com)

Again
The garden looked sad.
Last years life dead sticks and leaves.
Branches with barely noticeable nubs,
And brittle, brown hydrangeas frozen in time.

I kicked dejectedly at a pile of earth.
Then, surprised, felt a frisson of discovery,
Thin iris leaves pointed up.
And close by, hostas grew in multitudes.

The earth, despite drear, dominating winter,
Once again enabled resurrection.
How could I have doubted there would be
Common signs; promises fulfilled?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Rhubarb ... Absurd

Today’s word is “rhubarb” ... roo-bahrb ... a quarrel or squabble. (Dictionary.com)

Absurd
If only our fights,
Were mere rhubarbs ... not deadly.
We could sleep in peace.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Bardolatry ... Follow

Today’s word is “bardolatry” ... bahr-dol-uh-tree ... great or excessive adoration of or reverence for William Shakespeare. (Dictionary.com)

Follow

Sometimes we are inclined,

To worship what seems certain,

Such as that rare bardology ...

Praising the man behind the curtain.

We might love scientific things,

And believe there’s nothing more,

Or think that fame and fortune,

Will open any door.

But without some grounding,

In morals tried and true,

We’ll flounder round in turmoil,

Chasing anything that’s new.

The compass has but one true north,

The sun rises in the east,

Truth is revealed to those that seek,

The little, lost and meek.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Anthropocene ... Hours

Today’s word is “anthropocene” ... an-thruh-puh-seen ... a proposed epoch of the present time, occuring since mid-20th century, when human activity began to effect significant environmental consequences. (Dictionary.com)

Hours
We only occupy a sliver,
Of the timeline of the earth,
Yet some would say we dominate,
Having done so from our birth.

Not so much our ancestors,
Who with the earthscape, merged,
But we who came much later,
With scientific surge.

Some say we’re careless humans,
That our time of doom is here,
But our great, good planet,
Survives yet, year to year.

The anthropocene’s our home,
And earth a gift sublime,
Ours to care for and enjoy until,
The end of God’s good time.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Easter Egg ... Ressurection

Today’s word is Easter Egg ... ee-ster eg ... a hidden message, as a cryptic reference, iconic image, or inside joke, that fans are intended to discover in a television show or movie. (Dictionary.com)

Or, in my humble opinion, a hard-boiled egg that is dyed beautiful colors and used as a symbol of Easter: new life and resurrection!

Resurrection

The church is not a building,

     mortared stacks of stone or wooden beams,

         stained-glass windows or statues of the saints.

The church is not a steeple rising,

     or falling in flames,

The church is not a resting place,

     but a people employed by love. Struggling
          to act with grace in the midst of pain.

The church is the people,

     imperfectly following the one who

         who died and rose to save the world.

On this most anguished day of fuzzy

     rabbits, Easter eggs, church services,

          sinners gathered, Christians martyred,

               evil displayed ...

Christ reigns and his church embodied, prays,

    and loves, and aches, and hopes, confident,

        that one day all will be well.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

               

Exodus ... Wait

Today’s word is “exodus” ... ek-suh-duhs ... a going out; a departure or emigration. (Dictionary.com)

Wait

Soon the dawning comes.

Fears will flee as that light breaks ...

Promised exodus.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Yealing ... Boom

Today’s word is “ yealing” ... yee-lin ... person of the same age as oneself. (Dictionary.com)

Boom

Elevator music’s found us,

My yealings and myself,

Everywhere strains of peace and love,

The same as we keep upon our shelves.

It means that we have finally,

Reached that ancient age,

Where we grow slowly out of touch,

Though we may feel the sage.

We knew that it would happen,

To us, as to us all,

Still it is quite shocking,

To hear our music in the mall.

It’s hard to hear the last notes,

End instrumentally,

But memories of youth remain,

Most sentimentally.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Facultative ... Yes

Today’s word is “facultative” ... fak-uhl-tey-tive ... left to one’s option or choice; optional. (Dictionary.com)

Yes

Do we yet believe?

Our faith is facultative.

In darkness, a light.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Lese majesty ... Still

Today’s word is “lese majesty” ... leez maj-uh-stee ... an attack on any custom, institution, belief, etc., held sacred or revered by numbers of people. (Dictionary.com)

Still

In every corner, hill and dale,

Traditions live and breathe,

And hold the fraying fabric,

Of all we have achieved.

Lese majesty is hovering,

Above the good and great,

Reaching, grasping for it’s share,

To change the course of fate.

It did not plant or gather,

The fruit of labor’s tears,

Yet would destroy this bounty,

With tales of baseless fear.

What new crop would grow here,

By what hand would we be fed?

Those who’d change the future,

Have left those words unsaid.

Stridently they boast and cheer,

Hoping to sway the crowd.

The crowd has fallen to its knees,

Yet remains unbowed.

A greater good is calling,

Wisdom from within,

And in the end will triumph,

Over the might-have-been.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Umami ... Foodie

Today’s word is “umami” ... oo-mah-mee ... a strong meaty taste, often considered to be one of the basic taste sensations along with sweet, sour, bitter, and salty, imparted by glutamate and certain other amino acids. (Dictionary.com)

Foodie

It’s an art, you know,

Ingredients picked at dawn,

The freshest and the best,

Only the purest water drawn.

Spices of every kind,

From exotic countries gathered,

Dishes unpronounceable,

With umami flavors slathered.

Crunchy, crusted bread,

Warmed and buttered well,

Each element created,

To tempt with taste and smell.

So, who can resist,

This banquet set before?

Who would not walk with joy,

Through that open door?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Gabelle ... Measure

Today’s word is “gabelle” ... guh-bel ... a tax; excise. (Dictionary.com)

Measure

Penalties and gabelles,

Have a life all of their own,

Following mistakes and indiscretions,

They will multiply and grow.

They are meant as a deterrent,

Yet they function as a rake,

Under their weight is struggle,

And officials happy with the take.

Robin Hood was glorified,

When he tried to equal out the game,

Today’s warriors of justice cry,

As they try to do the same.

Instead, it seems our differences,

Have caused a rash of hate,

The value within each of us,

Dismissed in the debate.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Conlang ... Fabric

Today’s word is “conlang” ... kon-lang ... an artificially constructed language used by a group of speakers, as opposed to one that has naturally evolved: conlangs such as Esperanto and Klingon. (Dictionary.com).

Fabric

In lands strange and mysterious,

There are customs you must heed,

And learn the conlang to get by,

Their traditions to succeed.

In addition to our native tongues,

We’d need to study these,

To interact with other folks,

We’d need a firm decree.

This seems a lot of work to me,

Unless you’re quite motivated,

I think just mastering these words,

Is highly underrated.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Tootle ... Spring

Today’s word is “tootle” ... toot-l ... to move or proceed in a leisurely way. (Dictionary.com)

Spring

Such a fine new day,

Let’s tootle around town now.

We’ll only spend time.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Unicorn ... Ahhh!

Today’s word is “unicorn” ... yoo-ni-kawrn ... a person or thing that is rare and highly valued, or is a hypothetical ideal. (Dictionary.com)

Ahhh!

A dull and average day,

Full of mundane chores,

Full of expected people,

And of talk that bores.

Then with sweet suddenness,

Silver strains arise,

A unicorn of silver sound,

Brings forth a welcome sigh.

A small whisper to the soul,

We are all of great design,

Art and music point toward home,

Undeserved, blessed shivering signs.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Alacrity ...

Today’s word is “alacrity” ... uh-lak-ri-tee ... cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness. (Dictionary.com)

Torn

Why do we not with alacrity,

Do those things we know are right,

And then invest our precious lives,

Chasing after the things of night?

We think that we control our will,

Yet when emotion comes to play,

We bow to fickle feeling’s ploys,

And let them have their feeble way.

We are quite broken in our hearts,

But love is stronger than our fear,

If we look beyond ourselves,

Courage and comfort will appear.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Flimflam ... Circus

Today’s word is “flimflam” ... film-flam ... to trick, deceive, swindle, or cheat. (Dictionary.com)

Circus

Keep your eyes wide open,

As you travel through this land,

There are all sorts of oddities,

Sideshows and one-man-bands.

The flimflam man is busy,

Embellishing his speech,

Shouting, crazy barkers,

Rail and beg and screech.

Should you want a rest,

From this cacophonous place,

Search out peace and quiet,

Where there is love and grace.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Polysemy ... Many

Today’s word is “polysemy” ... pol-ee-see-mee ... a condition in which a single word, phrase, or concept has more than one meaning or connotation. (Dictionary.com)

Many

Sometimes a mouse will scamper,

Sometimes it has a cord,

The same word polysemous,

Has many meanings stored.

All of us inside our skins,

Are different yet the same,

Facets of a graceful God,

Who creates without restraint.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Funemployed ... Unleashed

Today’s word is “funemployed” ... fuhn-em-ploid ... without a paid job but enjoying the free time. (Dictionary.com)

Unleashed

Life is not so bad, 

If you’re funemployed,

Without a schedule or a boss,

And days to be enjoyed.

You wake up with a stretch,

Squinting at the time,

Wonder at the weather,

Time to get online!

Coffee’s always brewing,

Snacks are always near,

The hours stretch before you,

This is no career.

What then is your purpose,

Surely more than this?

Doing whatever thing you want ...

Is there meaning in this bliss?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Vade mecum ... What?

Today’s word is “vade mecum” ... vey-dee mee-kuhm ... something a person carries about for frequent use. (Dictionary.com)

What?
Phones in ears always.
The new vade mecum reigns.
Yes, we’re addicted.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Plasticity ... Pour

Today’s word is “plasticity” ... pla-stis-i-tee ... the capability of being molded, receiving shape, or being made to assume a desired form. (Dictionary.com)

Pour

A holy shape waits ...

Our plasticity our hope.

We will to become.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Anthophobia ... Yikes!

Today’s word is “anthophobia” ... an-thuh-doh-bee-uh ... an abnormal fear of flowers. (Dictionary.com)

Yikes!

If dandelions outrageously roared,

Or snapdragons showed their teeth,

Or if from swishing horsetails,

We could not find relief,

If porcupine grass was dangerous,

Or bee balm could fly high,

We’d need to watch our steps,

And keep one eye on the sky.

It would be no wonder then,

If anthophobia caused us all,

To tiptoe through our days,

Fearfull of the stationary and the small.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Multiverse ... Investigate

Today’s word is “multiverse” ... muhl-ti-vurs ... a hypothetical collection of identical or diverse universes, including our own. (Dictionary.com)

Investigate

We just can not figure out,

     the source of our beginnings,

Perhaps the hand of God,

     or chance on chance on chance.

As our minds whirr ‘round and ‘round,

     looking for the beginning of the thread,

Nothing is certain. There are no facts. There is

     a curtain, between us and the 

          start of everything.

So we speculate. About a lucky accident.

        Or strangers from another galaxy

          flinging us and wonder at our earth.

About a multiverse that will solve our problem 

     with singularity.

Yet, says Occam, the most simple solution,

      should be taken seriously.

Nothing has yet to beget anything ...

     as far as we can tell.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Harmartia ... Broken

Today’s word is “hamartia” ... hah-mahr-tee-uh ... the character defect that causes the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy; tragic flaw. (Dictionary.com)

Broken

Even the very best of us,

On our very best of days,

Fight with hamartia,

A flaw in us that stays.

We can repeat a mantra,

That says we are now better,

Or pray for a stronger character,

Or follow instructions to the letter.

But our mistakes and mischief,

Will follow us around,

Until we recognize our lives,

Are lost until we’re found.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Versify ... Reveal

Today’s word is “versify” ... vur-suh-fahy ... to compose verses. (Dictionary.com)

Reveal

The compulsion is

To versify everything.

Can you see it now?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Fool ... Satiate

Today’s word is “fool” ... a dish made of fruit, scalded or stewed, crushed and mixed with cream or the like: gooseberry fool. (Dictionary.com)

Satiate

Candle light dinner,

Food for body and the soul,

For dessert, a fool.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019