On the Existence of the Public's Etymological Fancy
by Nadine Charity
Lexicographers dig into words
as archeologists into so much rubble
Exuberant glee fills each spadeful
of fresh-turned prefix and suffix
added to the Greek root
Modern terms offer traceable origins
perhaps even recorded
in all their tonal glory
The word smith's anvil and tongs
holds and shapes the word
as an artisan displays his craft
These are pulse raising events
"Doc, my heart
I think it skipped a beat."
But for the many, burning our bridges
keeping trim, eating salad
temperate and firm
words excite little
We run around the clock
around the neighbor's block
around the city, state
continent
anywhere our feet come down
play the oboe
bassoon, cello
shake hands with the concert master
pack our bags
and fly to Paris.
This poem is significant because I was invited to perform with the Back Porch Band at the Festival d'Ile de France in Paris on September 7-10, 2007 :)
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