Ann loves to write poetry and stories. Current poetry on Nature, Travel & beyond, including varied poetic structures.

What are Words For?

Conveying Information... (Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol)

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Poetry of Words

I couldn’t let poetry month go by without penning a poem about ‘Words’. They are, after all, my career, my hobby and my passion.

In linguistics a word is the smallest element that can be uttered in isolation with objective or practical meaning.

We learn to speak, then we learn to read, write and spell, with ease or with varying difficulties. I taught dyslexics for many years. I was surprised at how many of my students liked poetry, indeed how many enjoyed writing it. They were encouraged to write it without worrying about the spelling. After all, most were able to use phonetic patterns to make sure anyone reading would know what was meant. Who needs spelling?!

The choice of words for poetry is different from writing prose; some say the words should rhyme, some that free verse is better. Whatever you think about that, poetry has a certain rhythm, is a medium which can be a lot shorter than prose but say much more.

Here are a few poems about words.

Words (1)

Words woven round wires in brain,

waking images for text to trace

on page for all to read.

Words to pique emotions fast,

conjure minds’ responsiveness,

each his actions feed.

Words plucked from heart and soul,

washed by tears on each soft face

or greeted by smiles’ seed.

Words to cut a deep, dark gash,

throwing horror, death, disgrace,

at turmoil’s end, cruel deed.

Words soothing wanderer’s path,

calming each a worried brow,

spirits raising, firming creed.

Words: mankind’s ambassador for Peace and Love

Too Many Words!

Words (2)

Words, words, words,

rabbit, rabbit, rabbit,

will it never stop?

Bombarding senses,

nagging noise,

pursuing ’til I drop.

Can’t you be quiet?

Can’t you see

me down on my knees?

Don’t you realise

I’m all spent,

swaying in the breeze?

Words, words, words,

have a heart,

Just zip it, please, please, please……

I’m fraying at the edges,

will kick you into touch,

so I think you’d better shush..

Thank you very much.

Word Games

Words (3)

Games with words,

Scrabble, Lexicon,

games I played when

very young.

Scrabble makes

you think and spell,

teaches you

to choose well.

Lexicon with

Mum and Dad,

fun to add to,

good or bad!

Points for letters

rare in many,

more for me

for any!

Childhood fun,

learn and play,

done with grandchildren,

mine, today.

For Better or Worse

Words can be used for better or worse, for richer or poorer. Our relationship with them depends on whether we cherish or abuse them. So let’s choose them carefully, economically and to best effect.

It is possible to communicate in other ways, of course, but words make it a whole lot easier. With the words come tone, facial expression, gestures, volume, all making up our body language. Emotion also comes with words, if we pick them carefully.

Words conjure images. Images conjure words. We can even make up our own. How often do you hear children use their own vocabulary? Shakespeare made up words, so why shouldn’t we?

Shakespeare

Shakespeare's Own Words

You can link them to his plays if you follow the site source below.

barefaced, critic, dwindle, eyeball - barefaced liar; eyeball someone (face to face, eye to eye)

frugal, hobnob, jaded, lackluster - hobnob with someone, chatter with them (also a biscuit!)

monumental, moonbeam, negotiate, obsequiously

puking, swagger, vaulting, zany - 'puking' is my favourite, so onomatopoeic!

Winston Churchill, Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde

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Words from the Wise

Winston Churchill

• 'You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.'
• 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.'
• 'Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.'
• 'Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.'

Mark Twain

• 'The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.'
• 'Dance like nobody’s watching; love like you’ve never been hurt. Sing like nobody’s listening; live like it’s heaven on earth.'
• 'The secret to getting ahead is getting started.' (one for all writers, I think?)
• 'Wrinkles should merely indicate where the smiles have been.'

Oscar Wilde

• 'Memory… is the diary that we all carry about with us.'
• 'Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead.'
• 'I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I’m saying.'
• 'Women are made to be loved, not understood.'

My Personal Favourites

Words make phrases and certain phrases have a personal meaning for me, words spoken to me in a variety of situations.

• ‘She’s wicked i’n’t she - Grandma?’ said by my granddaughter to her Mum.

She was bothered that I’d see her looking ‘odd’ with blobs of suncream on her face before her Mum rubbed them in, so I did the same and left them on my cheeks and forehead, then pretended I didn’t want her to see me by poking my head round the door then disappearing with a shriek ‘oh no!’. She thought I was crackers and joined in the fun.

• ‘I couldn’t have done it without you.’ said by one of my dyslexic students.

We were saying goodbye on the last day of term, the day he was leaving our school, going on to college. He was one of my all-time favourite pupils (I know! We’re not meant to have those, but we do, just try not to make it obvious.) He came to our specialist school worrying about his difficulties, with no self-esteem. He left with excellent grades, full of confidence and went on to university and more success. And why? Because he was determined to pull through, to make something of himself, with or without my help. I was just the crutch along the way. I told him he was the one who had ‘done it’.

• ‘I love you’ said by anyone to anyone, but especially by my loved ones to me.

How that makes our hearts soar! How wonderful when we hear it for the first time! How great it is to be loved.

• ‘I’ve missed you.’

This simple phrase makes us feel worthy, appreciated, loved and makes us realise that we are in people’s thoughts when we are apart. I had been away for 10 weeks’ holiday and all my grandchildren uttered those words when I first saw them on my return, emphasised by a huge hug.

Daffodil, Primrose and Austin A30

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More Favourites

• ‘It’s lovely to see you.’

Good friends meet us and we know they value our company, our conversation and our relationships. It’s just that extra appreciation that is worth so much when expressed. We might know it but it’s good to hear.

• ‘Can I help you?’ said with sincerity.

Someone is telling us we are not alone, that somebody cares, someone who can add a positive to any situation.

• ‘Well done’ from my parents (sadly not around any more).

How special it is to have recognition from one’s parents, to have the knowledge that they are proud of us, to feel their encouragement along the way.

• ‘You’ve passed!’ - exams, driving test (car & motorbike)

Months of hard work learning to drive have paid off and we are finally independent, able to save up for a car, drive around with our friends, use it for work.

My Dad let me drive his car only a few days after passing my test. How trusting he was and how grateful I was, and am, to him for bestowing that trust.

My granddaughter has recently passed her driving test and drove off with pride in her own little car, saved up for by extra work in the holidays and after college.

• ‘You are a good/creative/interesting… writer.’ said by a fellow hubber or two.

This makes me feel professionally proud, as though I’ve achieved something. I’m not blowing my own trumpet, it’s humbling but pleasing and gives me encouragement.

Single word references can evoke sights, sounds or smells:

• Daffodil, primrose, buttercup, daisy

all bring memories of childhood with places and people to complete the scene.

• Austin A30

The mere mention of this by anyone recalls my first car and all the places we went together. My Dad bought it for me for the, then, princely sum of £50! I called it 'The Bubble' because it was grey and looked like one.

Old Words of the Landscape

A Question to Finish with

Many older words, especially those connected to nature and the landscape, have been removed from the Junior Oxford English Dictionary because they are considered to have gone out of children's common use and, which is worse, knowledge. I was surprised to find that they included words such as 'acorn' and 'heron! Let's not lose any of our words, historical or otherwise.!

What would we do without words? Consider that question! It poses so many scenarios, so many difficulties, in fact I can’t imagine what the answer could be. I’ll leave that to you!

Sources

http://www.shakespeare-online.com/biography/wordsinvented.html

https://www.brainyquote.com/lists/authors/top_10_winston_churchill_quotes

https://www.brainyquote.com/lists/authors/top_10_oscar_wilde_quotes

https://simplelifestrategies.com/wisdom-from-mark-twain-inspiring-quotes/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word

© 2018 Ann Carr

Comments

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 17, 2020:

Hi Peggy! Thanks for the visit.

Yes, I couldn't believe it when I read that. There are many herons around here, in our rhynes (irrigation ditches) and my grandchildren have seen a few. I know inner city children might not see such things very often but the countryside is full of them. As you say, acorns are abundant! I grew up to respect the bodies who publish dictionaries but I'm disappointed in them for this 'change of heart'.

Your continuing support is much appreciated, Peggy.

Ann

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on April 16, 2020:

How in the world could words like "acorn" and "heron" disappear from common use? Acorns fall from oak trees of which we still have plenty and herons...at least if referring to birds...are plentiful in different parts of the world, including where we live. Words do carry great meaning and hopefully are used wisely.

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 24, 2018:

I'm glad to hear it, Jo. My grandchildren certainly know about them too but then I make sure they don't lose words to do with nature and our surroundings. Natural words are so important, for we are in danger of losing our affinity with the landscape. Thanks for your visit to day; much appreciated.

Ann

Jo Miller from Tennessee on April 24, 2018:

Well done, Ann, from one word lover to another.

I can assure you that 'acorn' is still a common word here on our hill. Our grandchildren still like playing with all of the acorns they find around here.

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 22, 2018:

Hello Liz! Thanks for your kind comments. I thought the second poem might relate to a few others, as it was based on personal experience!

Ann

Liz Westwood from UK on April 21, 2018:

I really enjoyed reading this article. It's very well structured. I especially related to the second poem. My mother talks non-stop!

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 20, 2018:

Thank you again Gypsy. Yes, I suppose word play is our best tool really!

Ann

Gypsy Rose Lee from Daytona Beach, Florida on April 20, 2018:

Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed this. Wordplay is always a delight.

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 20, 2018:

Venkatachari M: Thank you so much for your generous comment. I'm glad you enjoyed this and thank you for your support and encouragement.

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 20, 2018:

Hello Dora! Thank you for your kind words. I love quotes from others, especially those three as they have such wit.

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 20, 2018:

Thank you very much, Mike. I love 'primrose lane' and 'holiday of words'; how kind you are. Hope you have a great Friday and weekend.

Ann

Venkatachari M from Hyderabad, India on April 20, 2018:

You are wonderful, Ann, in playing with the words so beautifully. I am much fascinated by the entire input you provided here. The poems are great; the knowledge about "words', the imagery, the quotes, and everything is very beautifully presented in an appealing style.

Thanks for the rich information.

Dora Weithers from The Caribbean on April 19, 2018:

Great poems on words. Effective format, putting out so much in short lines with so few words. Interesting exercises, and enjoyable, life-giving "Words from the Wise."

mckbirdbks from Emerald Wells, Just off the crossroads,Texas on April 19, 2018:

Hello Ann - Well here you have offered us a primrose lane, where life is a holiday of words. Very nice contribution to poetry month.

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Hi Liz! I love your comment, a great answer to my final question. We would indeed be in trouble!

Thanks for popping in; good to see you.

Ann

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on April 19, 2018:

Without words, we are reduced to caveman days of grunts and pointing: maybe drawings on the walls, but no more.

Minus words, how would we have achieved the technological prowess we now take for granted?

Absent words, how would we find alternative ways to say anything? The thesaurus would fade to nothingness.

Sans words, how would we understand other cultures; learn their languages, and discover the roots of our own?

Disappear words: we are left mute.

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Thanks, Devika, for your comment and your second visit today. Much appreciated.

Ann

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on April 19, 2018:

Words are used to express ones feeling sand you have certainly done a great one here. Expressed with great meaning.

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Thanks Flourish; I appreciate your comment. Yes, dictionaries can make fun reading with all the strange words they contain!

Ann

FlourishAnyway from USA on April 19, 2018:

Back when we used to use dictionaries, I loved to look up words I didn’t know. And Scrabble is a favorite of mine, too, although I haven’t played it in awhile.

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Thank you for such encouraging words, manatita. I'm smiling!

No, not given up the challenge. I find that I can't produce one per day but tend to build them up and then let them go! I'm still trying to get 30 done before the end of the month; up to 10 now but there's time, there's time....!

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Thank you, Verlie, for your kind words. I know your choice of words is often exquisite, your poetry way outshines mine, that's for sure.

That's the trouble with old cars but there are so many enthusiasts in Britain that most Austin and Morris parts are not too hard to find.

I appreciate your visit and support.

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

You've got it in one, Jackie! I'm pleased you get the message; I just hope others see it too (the majority of hubbers excepted of course).

You have a way with words too, Jackie.

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Thank you so much, Linda. Your words lifted me. I do despair about the social media use of words, especially when I see Trump's messages!

However, I don't think we see enough of our students' efforts in school and college, the ones who study well and produce good language. Good news is hardly ever targeted, is it?

Good to see you today.

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Hello Mary! Thank you very much. I'm glad my words had an impact on you. If I can get everyone to appreciate words more and choose them carefully, then I'm happy!

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Thank you, Eric, for your kind comment. I'm more at ease with prose but at the moment I'm into the poetry and enjoy writing it; it stretches me more! Great to see you today.

Ann

Ann Carr (author) from SW England on April 19, 2018:

Frank, thank you. You spoil me! Maybe it's because April/May is my favourite time of the year.

Ann

manatita44 from london on April 18, 2018:

A cute, charming, exquisite and sentimental take on words with a difference. Written only such as you can. Clever, all-expansive and brilliant!

Quite touching examples. I have over 30 poems on words and poetry but your take is different, rich, diversified ... necessary. A great piece of writng and excellent poems. I thought that you had given up the challenge. Peace!

Verlie Burroughs from Canada on April 18, 2018:

Thanks for the words Ann, and the pictures, Your enthusiasm for language is refreshing. I love the Austin. I had an Austin Cooper once, old stinky leather seats and glossy wood interior, it was sweet. Hard to find parts though, I had to give it up.

Jackie Lynnley from the beautiful south on April 18, 2018:

Well you have a way with words, Ann, and have shown us in the poetry that less can be more. In your sentiments you show that words can have such special impact used in the right places!

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on April 18, 2018:

Ann in this world of social media, texting, instant messages, Instagram and Twitter, it feels that our language is becoming sloppy and careless. And then I find this beautiful gem by you. There still is hope.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on April 18, 2018:

I can see you do love words and you've shared it with me as I read through your hub. You made me appreciate words more, its beauty, what they express.

Eric Dierker from Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A. on April 18, 2018:

I am glad it is April so that we get all these really nice treats from you. A toss up whether I like the word work or the poetry work more. Thank you for both.

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on April 18, 2018:

you could never stop to amaze me, words.. clever and the research was also clever.. Ann, April so does deserve you.. Bless you