I yearn for vocabulary to stretch understanding;
luscious words tickling the tongue,
pouring expanded meaning into simple verse.
Poetic language opens enchanted doors,
inviting strange phrases to become cherished friends,
enriching experience, moving beyond the mundane,
weaving spells in alliterative allusions.
Yet meteors of dictionary overload
obfuscate, adumbrate, preponderate;
substituting indecipherability for depth.
Author notes
prompt: simplicity speaks
A contest entry
- Keepin' it Simple. QUICKIE by ten thousand cicadas.
300 points, ended January 30, 9 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Winkling & Friends Contest #55 What is a poem? by Winklings.
1400 points, ended March 22, 6 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Liz
A wonderful piece. I am so pleased to see this beautiful shiny trophy. Well done. ~Pamela
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Well ... you have mused
beyond my general use of vocabulary which sent me scrambling for my dictionary ... that old, useful tool for a writer. I'm quite certain that you deserve the trophy for this and apologize for my lack of education to truly appreciate it. Keep sharing as your endeavors will open windows to education for the less refined. Congrats, joy
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OHH yes I love the vocabulary use. Thank you for holding open the enchanted door and letting me peek inside. I enjoyed the view.
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Okay.
Hi! Poet.
I feel the intention was to get people to take to heart Auden's deep respect for language and apply this in equally beautiful poetry.
This poem is, from my point of view, mind you, a wee bit didactic.
Your title is applicable to your lines.
Yes, you have been clever and I own to that. 
Lyndon of the Winklings.
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I agree that this poem does attempt to instruct. I have read so many poems by fledgling poets where an explosion of language and adjectives is perceived as insightful writing. Often judges who are easily impressed equate dictionary overflow and obtuse verbiage with brilliance. I was attempting to explain the beauty of language and the need to let the reader understand the meaning. Thank you for your comments. Peace, Liz
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Well
You have written about language. More accurately, about words and diction. I feel that Auden meant that one demonstrates this love affair with language in poetry in particular.
Your title is quite applicable to the written lines.
Lyndon of the Winklings. -
i was a person who wielded a vocabulary like a club, and then i learned it was so much more important to be understood and not just heard... so i learned this lesson... excellent and meaningful...PK
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I started writing that way too. I have since learned from Laura Lamarca, Cupcrazy and masterblaster that efficient use of language and poetic devices convey my feelings with more depth. Thank you for your comment. Peace, Liz
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Loved it! Especially the line about making strange phrases cherished friends. I feel like I've done that. Really lovely and clever write. You made me look up two words--lol. What a great way to make your point. I hate it when people go overboard with big words or abstraction thinking that makes for better poetry. I find that the best poetry is that which can speak the most to the most readers. I like big, interesting words, too, but too much of a good thing, ya know?
Really enjoyed this one.
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Thank you for this contest and for the bronze trophy. The next step in my writing will be to become less literal and more metaphorical. Peace, Liz
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Interesting. I like this. Best of luck to you.
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Wonderful use of words and mastery of placement for such luscious language. The poem attacks the prompt from the outside in and relays what we all try to do. Build the most elaborate and beautifully decorated house, while still maintaining the same address. Thank you for some new words to add to my garden. Good luck in the contest.
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What an amazing array of excellent verbiage...this is like dinner for the brain(mine anyway
) Excellent indeed, as always. 
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