Today’s (optional) prompt is to write a poem that, like “Dictionary Illustrations,” is inspired by a reference book. Locate a dictionary, thesaurus, or encyclopedia, open it at random, and consider the two pages in front of you to be your inspirational playground for the day. Maybe a strange word will catch your eye, or perhaps the mishmash of information will provide you with the germ of a poem.

 

Thesaurus of my laptop

 

 

A few interesting words, flash on my screen

When I leave it alone for sometime

The gravity of the words, too much at times

I pause; I refrain from touching any keys-

Dwelling over its meaning

 

 

‘Inexorable’

–adjective

‘impossible to persuade; unrelenting,’ it says

Can I be called ‘inexorable?’

Am I that difficult to persuade?

‘Convince me or be convinced,’ I recall, I often say

A series of questions, the word instigated

 

 

‘Besmirch’

–verb

‘damage someone’s reputation,’ the screen displayed

Ah! Like dishonor, damage or disgrace,

Like the rape case besmirched that politician’s name

And the match fixing besmirched that cricketer’s fate

Interesting it gets, I prolong my wait

 

 

‘Solipsism’

–noun

‘the theory that only the self exists,’ it explained

Oh really! This was quite intriguing

Curious to delve into its details, I touch the keypad,

I lost my thesaurus, but ‘solipsism’ was in my thoughts

‘I am the only mind which exists,’ a source elaborated

‘All others are merely ornaments or impediments to my happiness,’ another corroborated

Oh, that sounds condescending, I thought

But, hey, I learned three new words!

 

                                                            ©Vandana Bhasin

                                                                        24.04.2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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