Happy Friday! Today’s word of the day on Dictionary.com is Clarion. It is defined as a1. Clear and shrill: the clarion call of a battle trumpet, and 2. An ancient trumpet with a curved shape.

It is when the one gets into the origin of the word that things get interesting…

Origin of clarion

The etymology of clarion is clear and simple. Spellings of the equivalent term in Old French include clarain,clarin, claron, clairon, clarine. The diminutive noun in French formed from clarine is clarinette, meaning“clarinet.” Clarion entered English in the late 1300s,clarinette in the late 1700s.

But I think my favorite reference to the word is in its application in a quote by Jane Goodall:

“This book is a clarion call to rouse such people fromspineless acceptance of the status quo. I cannotstress strongly enough that every individual makes a difference.”
Jane Goodall, with Gary McAvoy and Gail Hudson, Harvest for Hope, 2005

Inspired by Ms. Goodall’s words, I give you a few Haiku. Have a great weekend! 😊

Clarion – A Haiku Study

those who are awake
shriek a clarion warning
to rouse those who sleep

clarion crooners
sooth the rage of common beasts
and crying babies

it’s not the sunrise
it’s the cock’s clarion call 
that rallies the dawn

kat ~ 9 December 2016