Today’s prompt: “write a poem that … is inspired by a reference book.” (http://www.napowrimo.net/day-twenty-four-5/)
We Say What We Mean
Does one ameliorate
or alleviate
or lighten?
Differences subtle:
exquistely indirect
but profound.
Words have weighty
meanings,
connotations,
not always easily
navigable,
passable made accessible
only through careful,
attentive,
conscientious,
and deliberate
choice.
We say what we mean.
But perhaps
not always as precisely
accurate
as we intend.
Specificity clarifies meaning
but opposes generalization.
Generalization expands meaning
but undermines clarity.
We say what we mean.
But do you understand what I’m saying?
For this poem, I went spelunking through random links on Thesaurus.com.
John the Librarian 