Our host today for the first day of the June Open Write is Leilya Pitre of Louisiana. She inspires us to write dictionary poems. You can write read her full prompt here.
She outlines this process for writing a dictionary poem:
Choose a word that may describe you, and then then write your poem as if it were a dictionary entry from your life. Include some or all of the following parts:
- Etymology: Where did this word enter your life? Who gave it to you? When did it start to matter?
- Definition: What does this word really mean to you now?
- Synonyms/Antonyms: What words shadow it? What words have you replaced it with?
- Misuses: When was the word used unfairly or wrongly?
- Example Sentence: Include a personal memory or story that shows this word in action—your version of how it lived in your world.
What word have you carried? Write your own life-definition poem. You may follow this format closely or bend it to suit you. You may completely disregard the prompt and/or the instructions and write whatever brings you joy today.
Before Dad died, he kept urging us to tap into the serendipitous steering currents of the spirit. He loved words and their sounds and meanings. I’m choosing the word serendipitous today as my dictionary word.
serendipitous (adj.) – a favorite word of Felix Haynes; he referred to the serendipitous steering currents of the spirit – it began mattering in the days leading up to his death when he urged us to watch for things to happen – to unfold in unexpected and divinely inspired ways.
definition – the divineness of the hand that parts waters, lights stars, and moves mountains like in Romans 8:28, making a way where there seems to be no way.
synonym – beneficial
antonym – unfortunate
misuses – planned, controlled, humanly intentional
sentence: Don’t be surprised when the serendipitous steering currents of the spirit sweep in and cause miracles to happen.
Common Threads 