Bonbonnière ... Reward

Today’s word is “bonbonnière” ... a box or dish for candies. (Dictionary.com)

Reward

Put away the bonbonnière,

The cookies and the fudge,

It’s time for resolutions,

Time to get the scale to budge.

It seems this happens every year,

This pledge to banish treats,

To hop up off the couch,

And move your hands and feet.

So we’ll try it once again,

And hopefully succeed,

I’ll just finish this last sweet,

It will be the last I need.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Turn

Turn

Your book is open,

Carefully turn the pages.

Each one a surprise.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Eidetic ... Indelible

Today’s word is “eidetic” ... of, relating to, or constituting visual imagery vividly experienced and readily reproducible with great accuracy and in great detail. (Dictionary.com)

Indelible

Would it be extraordinary,

To remember everything?

Each event, person or place,

A brilliant bell would ring.

Every shrug and sneeze,

Each mountain and each mile,

Every snub and sunrise,

Every happy smile.

In this eidetic world,

Each memory in relief,

Has some sharpened edges,

That could bring a soul to grief.

Do we really want to see,

Each pain forever scribed,

Every hurt and sorrow,

Forever magnified?

Perhaps a little fading,

Is good for memories,

Allowing for some softening,

So we content can be.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Fainéant ... Go!

Today’s word is “fainéant” ... idle; indolent. (Dictionary.com)

Go!

After all the fun,

We are a bit fainéant.

On to the next thing!

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Fistic ... Move

Today’s word is “fistic” ... of boxing; pugilistic. (Dictionary.com)

Move

Today is truly Boxing Day,

But there’s nothing fistic here,

Just kindness toward the other,

Continued Christmas cheer.

It’s a day to remember,

The lost ones and the small,

Those left out of celebrations,

Who have no wherewithal.

We seem to need reminders,

As we plan and make our way,

The world doesn’t circle ‘round us,

We’re in this together, today.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Merrymaking ... Gift

Today’s word is “merrymaking” ... the act of taking part cheerfully or enthusiastically in some festive or merry celebration. (Dictionary.com)

Gift

The merrymaking time is past,

But not the time of joy,

Love has come to be with us,

The times cannot destroy.

No matter problem, curse or pain,

Dictator, disease, or fear,

Our hope is built on nothing less,

Than knowing God is near.

We are guaranteed his love,

We owe fidelity,

To give of ourselves gratefully,

Until all can see.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Sugarplum ... Joy

Today’s word is “sugarplum” ... a small round candy made of sugar with various flavoring and coloring ingredients; a bonbon. (Dictionary.com)

Joy

This is the night,

Of sugarplums and dreams,

For gifts and surprises,

For that’s how it’s been,

Since the small winter baby,

Was placed in the hay,

There’s been hope for the world,

Because of his loving way.

Humankind’s footsteps,

Have been far from straight,

We do not deserve,

Such a pure advocate.

Yet he did come,

Who could love us more?

His heart is is the opening,

Of heaven’s door.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Matutinal ... Suited

Today’s word is “matutinal” ... pertaining to or occurring in the morning; early in the day. (Dictionary.com)

Suited

There’s a jolly man,

Matutinal gifts are his.

But the joy is ours.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Pinpoint

Dictionary.com is stuck on yesterday’s word. So here’s an original without a prompt.

Pinpoint

It is the waiting season,

The darkest time of year,

Pondering our frailty,

Our love of life most dear.

Watching for the brightest star,

A star to light our way,

A promise from the deepest past,

Where a baby stabled lay.

Out of love for us he came,

The king of this, our world,

For all of our hearts breaking,

His banner is unfurled.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Swivet ... Grateful

Today’s word is “swivet” ...  a state of nervous excitement, haste, or anxiety; flutter. (Dictionary.com)

Grateful 

Do not be anxious.

A swivet doesn’t become you.

Try a little trust.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Snuggery ... Sigh

Today’s word is “snuggery” ... comfortable or cozy room. (Dictionary.com)

Sigh

In this craziest of times,

You need a place to rest,

A snuggery that’s quiet,

Where you can decompress.

Some pillows and some candles,

Quiet music and some books,

A little snack; something that’s sweet,

A window, out of which to look.

All these things and quiet thoughts,

Thoughts of Christmas peace,

Will soothe your troubled spirit,

And offer sweet release.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Cordate ... Empty

Today’s word is “cordate” ... heart-shaped. (Dictionary.com)

Empty

Only God can fill,

The cordate hole inside us.

But we hold the keys.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Eleemosynary ... Echo

Today’s word is “eleemosynary” ... of or relating to alms, charity, or charitable donations; charitable. (Dictionary.com)

Echo

He sauntered to the temple,

Where he would give a token,

His eleemosynary duty,

Where he’d be outspoken.

Sure to let all those around,

Know of his sacrifice,

And how he was much better,

By paying such a price.

Yet he overlooked,

A humble man so near,

Who gave of himself completely,

Out of love both pure and clear.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Gravitas ... Curtains

Today’s word is “gravitas” ... seriousness or sobriety, as of conduct or speech. (Dictionary.com)

Curtains

He spoke with gravitas,

With bells and peals of thunder,

The people wept and trembled,

And looked on him with wonder.

But, it only took a little dog,

To reveal his wizened frame,

Proving all is not what it appears,

In life’s tricky game.

So as we watch and wait,

And try to do our part,

We must stay courageous,

And trust our own true hearts.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Scintillating ... Joy

Today’s word is “scintillating” ... witty; brilliantly clever. (Dictionary.com)

Joy

It’s scintillating!

The plans God has made for us.

We can’t imagine.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Plotz ... What

Today’s word is “plotz” ... ) to collapse or faint, as from surprise, excitement, or exhaustion. (Dictionary.com)

What?

If peace were to break out,

We would plotz in shock.

What would we do with our time,

With no one left to mock?

With no one else to criticize,

To argue with or fight,

Imagine being with your enemy,

Having a quiet, happy night!

It would take us ages,

To finally understand,

How to live well with each other,

And walk hand in hand.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Paraselene ... Wait

Today’s word is “paraselene” ... a bright moonlike spot on a lunar halo; a mock moon. (Dictionary.com)

Wait

In the strangeness of the night,

Paraselene light the moon,

It is the darkness of December,

And it seems to have come too soon.

Wind is whistling through the trees,

The cold wraps closer every day,

Snow flakes form in secret places,

Waiting to surprise us our way.

A deep breath; a bit of patience,

We have been through more before,

Each challenge brings a benefit,

Though we know not what’s in store.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Misbegotten ... Blinded

Today’s word is “misbegotten” ... badly conceived, made, or carried out. (Dictionary.com)

Blinded

It seemed so very tricky,

The plan that they had made,

But it was misbegotten,

Full of evil shade.

They didn’t know that truth,

When it in the darkness shines,

Wakes a foolish, sleepy world,

To a holy, new design.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Lyceum ... Mind

Today’s word is “lyceum” ... an institution for popular education providing discussions, lectures, concerts, etc. (Dictionary.com)

Mind

Lyceum or the stage,

Books or many speeches,

Old learned professors,

Young ambitious teachers.

Wisdom can be found,

If you are awake,

But watch for wolves disguised,

For innocence they’ll take.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Avuncular ... Smile

Today’s word is “avuncular” ... acting like an uncle, as in being kind, patient, generous, etc., especially to younger people. (Dictionary.com)

Smile

Avuncular acts.

His kindness is his fortress.

He’s welcoming all.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Mitzvah ... Glow

Today’s word is “mitzvah” ... any good or praiseworthy deed. (Dictionary.com)

Glow

A mitzvah each day,

A treasure and a blessing.

Light into the world.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020

Abscond ... Status quo

Today’s word is “abscond” ... to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution. (Dictionary.com)

Status quo

Please someone take this all away,

    The plague, the hatefulness,

          All division.

Is this within our ken? Can we

     Change ourselves completely?

Turn ourselves inside out ...

     Let the light burn away

          All that is not good?

It seems impossible that we

     Have come so far and

           Gained so little understanding

Of ourselves. Of our world.

It seems someone or something,

     Has absconded with all sense

          And reason.

Perhaps only God can save us.

Anne Selleck

Copyright 2020