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Word Squirrel

Rodents can be loquacious
That includes your average gerbil
They love to prattle, chat and blather
They really are quite verbal

Hamsters are talkative too
Just as garrulous as can be
With running mouth and wheel to match
They are a sight to see

But I am loath to squander words
Sparing usage is my way
I gather them like so many acorns
Against a rainy day

Yes, word collecting is the passion
Of this precocious squirrel
I garner adjectives, verbs and nouns
Be they singular or plural

The park is fecund land
There a plethora may be found
Vociferous, vehement and vex
I lately scooped up off the ground

The verb tree is prolific
Its discovery quite a boon
The other day it bestowed upon me
Flaunt, foster and festoon

All along the sidewalks
Concrete nouns lie strewn about
How blithely I did snatch up
A lummox, a laggard and a lout

To command a better view
I nimbly scampered up a pole
From this lofty perch I spotted
Wheedle, coax and cajole

Away in the distance
I spied a tempting pile
Heaped up for the taking were
Enticing, alluring and beguile

What do I with so much verbiage?
You would be fair to ask
Squirreling away so vast a lexicon
Must prove a mammoth task

The answer lies in my arboreal abode
Where these many words I stash
In alphabetical order they are arrayed
From zealous to abash

In a capricious mood one day
I grouped them by part of speech
Such a cacophony arose from clustering
Banter, badger and beseech

No matter how I sort them
The wasting of words I spurn
Reserved for rarest use I keep
Reticent, laconic and taciturn!

_________________________________

by Brian McClain - Feb 17, 2016


Originally posted Feb 17, 2016
Accidentally deleted Feb 22, 2016
Reposted Feb 22, 2016

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016




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Date: 5/22/2016 8:13:00 PM
I am glad that you reposted this excellent write !!!You have mastered this form of writing..(.rich and vivid images coupled with strong usage of alliterations ) A treat to your audience ..A7 and a fav...:)))) ~ Cheers~ Red~
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Brian Mcclain
Date: 5/30/2016 10:11:00 PM
Hi Red, Thank you so much and it warms my heart to receive such a nice comment. I wanted to also say thanks for all your many encouraging messages. I really appreciate them. Unfortunately, now I am sort of seguing into new stuff in my life and my poetic Muse has sort of gone AWOL. Seriously though, I think I have just run out of stuff to say and will have to fill up on words again before I can post any more poems. I believe you took a prolonged break from writing yourself at one point, so I think you can relate. I'll keep reading even if I don't post. Cheers, Brian
Date: 3/28/2016 8:43:00 PM
You are good with English. I teach it to foreign students and understand very well its importance. You are a SMART poet, Brian. This is a FAVE for me.
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Brian Mcclain
Date: 3/28/2016 9:25:00 PM
Hi Andrea, That's so very kind of you. I taught ESL myself for a couple of years in Taiwan. My idea for this poem (as well as for Word Horde) is to do kids' books that teach SAT-level vocab in a fun way that might appeal to very young ages. Thanks you for the nice comment--very much appreciated! Cheers, Brian
Date: 3/23/2016 6:15:00 PM
Amazingly done, in every way Brian. i am stunned by your talent..you sure are crafty and clever with these words. I really enjoyed reading this one!! Always, Laura
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Brian Mcclain
Date: 3/23/2016 8:19:00 PM
Hi Laura, Thank you very much. I am glad you liked my squirrely poem, and am flattered by your kind words. Cheers Brian
Date: 3/23/2016 8:22:00 AM
I really like this one too. Puts your imagination on full display. You are very smart. Peace my friend:)
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Brian Mcclain
Date: 3/23/2016 8:51:00 AM
Hi Daniel, Thank you very much for digging out this acorn and commenting so kindly. Cheers, Brian
Date: 2/25/2016 10:12:00 AM
There is this unique insurance your works always give my expectations And that satisfaction only builds more castles for my curiosity to thrive, waiting for subsequent results of your talent and thinking.
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Brian Mcclain
Date: 2/25/2016 10:40:00 AM
Hey Funom, Glad you liked this poem. And so nice of you to stop by again. I appreciate your taking the time. Your awesome comments are like poems unto themselves! Cheers, Brian

Book: Reflection on the Important Things