Ghost word ... Ending

Today’s word is “ghost word” ... a word that has come into existence by error rather than by normal linguistic transmission, as through the mistaken reading of a manuscript, a scribal error, or a misprint. (Dictionary.com)

Ending

At heaven’s gateway,

How many, like a ghost word,

Arrive by surprise?

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Ghoulish ... Cloaked

Today’s word is “ghoulish” ... strangely diabolical or cruel; monstrous: a ghoulish and questionable sense of humor. (Dictionary.com) 

Fortunately, Halloween is tomorrow and all the ghoulish words should go into hiding soon after!!!

Cloaked

Ghoulish holiday,

Trimmed with sweet treats and costumes,

Hiding dark secrets.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Resquiescat ... End

Today’s word is “requiescant” ... a wish or prayer for the repose of the dead. (Dictionary.com)

End

All the words were said.

More than a requiescat,

The quiet spoke peace.

Anne Select

Copyright 2019

Macabre ... Unholy

Today’s word is “”macabre” ... gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible. (Dictionary.com)

Unholy

On that certain night,

The macabre’s ordinary,

Darkness falsely wins.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Horripilation ... Creeps

Today’s word is “horripilation” ... a bristling of the hair on the skin from cold, fear, etc.; goose bumps. 

Creeps
The dark, the deep dark,
Horripilation and fear.
Light a match, quick!

Anne Selleck 
Copyright 2019

Chthonian ... Boo

Today’s word is “chthonian” of or relating to the deities, spirits, and other beings dwelling under the earth. (Dictionary.com)

Boo
I suppose the time has come again,
To think about the darker things,
Chthonian spirits and ghouly ghouls,
Things that slink; things with wings.

Things that go bump in darkened halls,
Pumpkins with toothsome, wilting smiles,
Black cats running around your feet,
Leaves on lawns and streets high piled.

Little faces at the door, begging tasty treats,
Princesses, pirates and minecrafters, all,
Ferried by parents down torch-lit walks,
“Trick or Treat,” frightfully, echo the call.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Psychotronic ... Spooky

Today’s word is “psychotronic” ... of or relating to a genre of usually low-budget movies that includes horror, fantasy, science-fiction, and underground films. (Dictionary.com)

Spooky
They won’t fill us up ...
Psychotronic fantasies.
Meaning lies elsewhere.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Numinous ... Speech

Today’s word is “numinous” ... spiritual or supernatural (Dictionary,com)

Speech
The numinous calls
In small whispers, constantly.
Shhhh! You might miss it!

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Consternation ... Anchor

Today’s word is “consternation” ... a sudden, alarming amazement or dread or dread that results in utter confusion; dismay. (Dictionary.com)

Anchor
Have you ever felt the consternation,
The “what the” when looking at the world?
Have you felt as if the ground was up above,
And beneath you clouded sky unfurled?

What is your anchor when this happens?
What holds you firm in tempests wild,
Can you remember in these moments,
That you really are God’s child?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Solipsism ... Dark

Today’s word is “solipsism” ... extreme preoccupation with and indulgence of one’s feelings, desires, etc.; egoistic self-absorption. (Dictionary.com)

Dark
How can one caught in solipsism,
See to light another’s way,
As in his own selfish dream,
He lingers and enjoys its play.

Those sad shadows, other people,
Float ‘round the edges of his mind,
Not real enough to beg attention,
Easily, they’re left behind.

This strange picture only bends,
Twisted to its own designs,
To other pictures, other stories,
He remains both deaf and blind.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Bon vivant ... Bold

Today’s word is “bon vivant” ...  a person who lives luxuriously and enjoys good food and drink. (Dictionary.com)

Bold
Bons vivants live large,
Believing in what they are.
But what is hidden?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Pepita ... Patch

Today’s word is “Pepita” ... the edible seed of a pumpkin or squash, used in cooking and often dried or toasted and eaten as a snack food. (Dictionary.com)

Patch
He tromped around the patch,
Searching for the perfect one,
Orange and round and smooth,
After an hour he was done.

Then began the work,
He cut the top, the mouth and eyes,
And scooped all the seeds out,
A messy enterprise.

But from the slimy mess,
Came pepitas tasty,
He put them in the oven,
Feeling rather hasty.

Delicious aroma,
Quickly filled the air,
He took them from the heat,
With everyone, he shared.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Canny ... watch

Today’s word is “canny” ... astute; shrewd; knowing; sagacious. (Dictionary.com)

Watch
When your enemy is canny,
You must stay on your toes,
Or he will ruin your day,
Everywhere you go.

Is he behind that tree?
In the office in your chair?
Lurking in your neighborhood?
He will get in your hair!

Prepare yourself ahead,
With helmet, sword and shield,
The shoes of peace will help you fly.
And your enemy will yield.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Minutiae ... Bumpy

Today’s word is “minutiae” ... precise details; small or trifling matters. (Dictionary.com)

Bumpy Lost in minutiae,
The blind happily lead us.
Just stretch out your hand.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Erumpent ... Turn

Today’s word is “erumpent” ... bursting forth. (Dictionary.com)

Turn
As fall deepens,
What will I miss of summer?
Erumpent flowers come to mind,
And walking freely with no coat.
The beach and sunset every night,
The cry of gulls and hum of waves.
Children playing in the street,
Bikes and balls and scooters.
Dogs walking their masters.
Kayakers on the bayou.
Bonfires.
Tents and canopies.
Races and festivals and music.
The smell of freshly mown grass;
The feel of warm dirt. Planting.
The hiss of sprinklers.
The feel of a thunderstorm coming.
Ice cream outside.
So many things.
Maybe in the spring, I’ll try to remember
All the joys of winter.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Wordie ...Syllables

Today’s word is “wordie” ... a person with an enthusiastic interest in words and language;; a logophile. (Dictionary.com)

Syllables 
A Webster’s international,
From 1944,
Sits upon my table,
In it flags and planes and more.

Pictures of the editors,
Grace the early pages,
Then following, definitions,
Enough for all the sages.

For a wordie, it is bliss,
Hours of joyous exploration,
All the world inside a book,
The best in contemplation.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Flagitious ...

Today’s word is “flagitious” ... shamefully wicked, as persons, actions, or times.

Smoke
These flagitious times,
Can be seen as we look back.
We are in the dark.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

récherché ...

Today’s word is “récherché ... sought out with care. (Dictionary.com)

Still
We are a récherché people,
     formed from the dust,
Yet saved from ourselves by God.

Why would He give us 
     chance after chance?
Even after our dismissal of Him?

After all we’ve done,
     and all we’ve failed to do,
Only a loving parent would
     continue to hold out his hand.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Aplomb ... Zeus

Today’s word is “aplomb” ... poise or assurance. (Dictionary.com)

Zeus
He walks with aplomb,
Tail high, thinking of conquests.
He is what he is.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Historiated ... Exhausted

Today’s word is “historiated” ... decorated with animals, flowers, or other designs that have a narrative or symbolic purpose, especially of initial letters on an illuminated manuscript. (Dictionary.com)

Exhausted
I have often wondered,
How the monk beside his flame,
Had the patience for his task,
How his restlessness he’d tame.

Hours passed as he, bent with quill,
Dipped and inscribed his letters,
Copied owls and winged doves,
Each from the last one, better.

The historiated capitals,
Were with gold and colors painted,
And silent choirs of angels sang,
As for the next they waited.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Felicitate ... Given

Today’s word is “felicitate” ... congratulate. (Dictionary.com)

Given
Throw the confetti,
Felicitate the brave ones,
Giving lives for truth.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Biomorph ... Shapes

Today’ word is “biomorph” ... a painted, drawn, or sculptured free form or design suggestive in shape of a living organism, especially an ameba or protozoan. Such as the paintings of Joan Miro.

Shapes
Who are they, these biomorphs?
In strange colors they are dressed,
Floating through an atmosphere,
That seems like outer space, at best.

I wonder where they’re going,
Insides displayed for all to see,
Walking pets around the block,
Through mists where there are no trees.

Their little faces seem amused,
As they boldly wave and reach,
Clearly their lives are complex,
What do they have to teach?

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Lambent ... smokey

Today’s word is “lambent” ... dealing lightly and gracefully with a subject. (Dictionary.com)

Smokey
It’s time for lambent campfires,
For walks in crisp, clean air,
For pumpkin pies and smiles,
And gratitude and prayer.

We could, of course, be thankful,
Every given day,
For life and breath and friendship,
For creation as it plays.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Expiate ... Sin

Today’s word is “ expiate” ... ek-spee-eyt ... to atone for; make amends. (Dictionary.com)

Sin
No one is guilty,
Not one thing to expiate.
Nothing to see here.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Tellurian ... Globe

Today’s word is “tellurian” ... te-loor-ee-uhn ... of or characteristic of the earth or its inhabitants; terrestrial. (Dictionary.com)

Globe
It’s good to be tellurian,
Where else can you see,
Creatures odd and beautiful,
That were somehow caused to be?

Where else are there seas of blue,
Whose currents feed us all,
As sun in cloud both morn and night,
With colors deep enthrall?

The seasons in their wisdom turn,
In exacting grace,
Forces greater than we know,
Reveal God’s gloried face.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Flexuous ... Stroll

Today’s word is “flexuous” ... full of bends or turns, winding. (Dictionary.com)

Stroll
Walking exercise,
Better on flexuous paths.
Beauty everywhere.

Anne Selleck
Copyright 2019

Realia ... Word

Today’s word is “realia” ... ree-ey-lee-uh ... objects, as coins, tools, etc., used by a teacher to illustrate everyday living. (Dictionary.com)

Word

Gather the realia,

Show the people what you mean,

This business of parables,

Is much harder than it seems.

Will they get the point?

Will they understand?

It’s not about the seeds you plant,

Or the layout of the land.

Birds that swoop and steal the seeds,

Ground that dries to dust,

Betray our only heart’s desire,

And our lack of trust.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Slumberland ... Beams

Today’s word is “slumberland” ... sluhm-ber-land ... an imaginary land described to children as the place they enter during sleep. (Dictionary.com)

Beams

Evening stars will shine,

And guide us to slumberland.

Moonlit lullaby.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Foliaceous ... Aves

Today’s word is “foliaceous” ... foh-lee-ey-shuhs ... bearing leaves or leaflike parts. (Dictionary.com)

Aves

Eagles born on updrafts,

Over foliaceous forests fly,

Below, all earthbound creatures,

Hear them as they cry.

We cannot imagine,

What it feels to soar the skies,

Or dive back down toward earth,

Fast, from a cloudy high.

But they’re at home in spaces,

We cannot comprehend,

And will, from their airy heights,

Soar, play and descend.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Coalesce ... Cruciform

Today’s word is “coalesce” ... koh-uh-les ... to unite so as to form one mass, community. (Dictionary.com)

Cruciform

If all emotion

Would coalesce to true love,

All the earth would sing.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019

Extenuate ... Humble

Today’s word is “extenuate” ... ik-sten-yoo-eyt ... to represent (a fault, offense, etc.):as less serious. (Dictionary.com)

Humble

As we pray sadly,

Please, extenuate our faults,

We will be at peace.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2019