grass long
and tall
dances in the
delicious breeze
breath of god
softly flowing
the red breast trudges
through the garden
beneath the blue, but
the worms are
hiding…it’s
too cool
in purple
always fight for what
is good and remember,
but for your light
some never come to
hope, only seeing the
dark night of the soul
beneath every garden
roots and seeds
winter in the
darkness…
a time to rest and
a time to blossom
~kat
Got to see my youngest daughter and granddaughter today. If you follow me, you’ll know how special this is. Today was a very good day! ❤️
Today’s word of the day on dictionary.com is a whopper, and therefore quite the challenge when constrained by the limited syllable budget of a Haiku. I shall nevertheless give it its due. Perlocutionary is an adjective that describes a type of speech that persuades, enlightens, inspires, frightens, or amuses the listener, causing them to act. Philosopher, J.L. Austin explains it perfectly in this excerpt from “How to Do Things with Words”, written in 1962: “We can similarly distinguish the locutionary act ‘he said that’ …from the illocutionary act ‘he argued that’…and the perlocutionary act ‘he convinced me that’…”
The word perlocution has been around since the 16th century originally meaning the act of speaking. It basis was formed from the Latin locutio, “speech, speaking, discourse”, a derivative of the verb loqui, “to speak”. Its present iteration as a noun and adjective did not enter the English language until the 20th century with the addition of the prefix ‘per’ meaning “through, complete or perfect” (as in brought to completion).
I learned that there are stages in the application of locutionary, illocutionary and perlocutionary acts. While it would seem that the latter is the more refined direct act of the three I was surprised to discover that, in fact, infants between the age of 0-8 months are masters in the art of perlocutionary discourse through the use of sounds and gestures. Every whimper, coo and cry has an affect on the hearer, causing them to act. Eventually the child begins to repeat actual words (locutionary acts) and to apply them with meaning as in the words “no” or “why” (illocutionary acts).
It’s all very interesting of course. And way over my head. I have rarely bothered myself to determine whether a speech or statement is locutionary, illocutionary or perlocutionary, but I do admit to being moved and swayed by words. A simple cry for help raises my adrenaline and propels me into help mode. And a temper tantrum can shut me down in no time flat.
We are so easily convinced by words. I doubt that I’ll take time to analyze the words that move me, next time it happens. Even though I now have a word for it. Perlocutionary acts…my biggest challenge at the moment is figuring out how to fit a six syllable word into a Haiku. But at least now you have a new word to file in your vocabulary drawer under “words that are nice to know”.😊
words of gloom and doom,
perlocutionary acts,
drive fools to folly
~kat
http://www.dictionary.com/wordoftheday/2017/10/20/perlocutionary
Mixed Message
you can be anything you dream / watch how you dress
you are beautiful / you don’t want to give the wrong impression
you are intelligent / but don’t worry that pretty head of yours
you are strong / men will protect you
so take your rightful place / as long as you know your place
use your voice / you know who’s in charge
to change the world / always remember
step up and be counted / behind every successful man
your limitless potential / is a woman
waiting to be realized / a beautiful trophy
is your birthright / to impress the guys
for you are a woman / the weaker sex
magnificent in every way / emotional, compassionate
don’t let them tell you / it’s why women can’t be leaders
who you are / because it threatens manliness
what you can or cannot be / to be considered equal
it is up to you / it’s just not going to happen
so fly my darling girl / don’t make waves
the sky’s the limit / smile and look pretty
~kat
A Cleave Poem is three poems in one. Read the left column, top to bottom, then the right column, top to bottom. And finally read each line across.
About the challenge: Each Tuesday I will provide a photo prompt. Your mission, if you choose to accept the challenge, is to tell a story based on that prompt in 140 characters or less. Be sure to let me know in the comments with a link to your tale.
A final note: if you need help tracking the number of characters in your story, there is a nifty online tool that will count for you at charactercountonline.com.
I will do a roundup each Tuesday, along with providing a new prompt. Have Fun!
Photo by Antranias on Pixabay.com
From Kalpana at Gemini in the Sky:
Her pen spews venom on paper in the sunlit forest log cabin .
She dons her nocturnal skin and slithers for prey in the concrete jungle.
From Reena at ReInventions:
“WOOOOOW! There is someone in deep meditation inside. Wonder for how many years ….”
“This place is built as a tourist attraction. People are paid to sit there for a day.”
(140 characters)
From My Feelings My Freedom:
The eerie sound in the woods ran shivers.
“Someone’s stalking us!”
“I wish we’d heeded to mom’s advice,”
“Our tree house!” rejoiced my sis.
(137 characters)
From Leena at Soul Connection:
TREEHOUSE!!Mom Can V Go
Yes,Take Ur Lil Sis Wd U Too
Lk Sme1 Alrdy Playng
Hi Can V Join U Up Thr
Ohh Yes M Bored Plyng Alone Since Last 100 Yrs.
From Hayley at The Story Files:
As kids we said the tree house was haunted but it wasn’t till we were adults that we found out the truth.
From Di at Pensitivity101:
When you said ‘Come Up to My Place’ this isn’t exactly what I had in mind.
(74 characters)
From Fandango at This, That, and The Other:
You gotta come by and see my new tiny house. It’s a two-story tree house. I built it myself just like those guys who do it on HGTV.
(132 characters)
From Willow at WillowDot21:
Even in the worst of winter it was the safest option for them. They had secreted blanks gloves and bed socks. Huddled together they kept warm.
From Radhika at Radhika’s Reflection:
“Darling, this place is perfect for our rendezvous!” said Ann.
She froze when she saw Jim point the gun at her, “That’s why I chose it!”
Letter count : 138
From Irena at Books and Hot Tea:
People are destructive. It’s better without them, among the trees.
But they might come, with their trucks and saws.
I’ll be ready.
From Peter at Peter’s Ponderings
Will Mum still be up there Dad?
Yes, don’t worry, she’ll be there!
Are you sure Dad?
I’m sure son, you’ll see. She’s staying up there forever!
(140 characters)
From Kathryn at Another Foodie Blogger:
Art and Lilly stood arm in arm, gazing up for a final look at their childhood fort, tears in their eyes. The roar of the bulldozers started.
From Vivian at Smell the Coffee:
The hapless workers and Martha were at a stalemate.
“You have 30 seconds!” shouted the foreman.
“Do your worst,” she screamed, “I dare you!”
And I started us all off with a cliffhanger…
“There it is! Come on.”
“Nope. I’m fine down here.”
“Suit yourself. Have to see if it’s still there.”
“What’s so important?”
“This!”
“Is tha…”
(140 Characters…exactly)
Some of you were quite clever this week. As always you touched on every genre imaginable…mystery, mayhem, melancholia and murder. And some of you followed my example with cliffhangers of your own. To give those of us in that latter category an opportunity to make amends I am offering everyone the chance to extend their twitter tale from last week using this week’s photo prompt from StockSnap at Pixabay.com…a view from the inside. Of course if you’d rather leave us hanging, that is okay too. Finally, if you finished your story last week, you are invited to write a totally new tale based on the prompt. I’m looking forward to seeing what you all come up with! Most of all, have fun! 🙂
Photo by StockSnap @ Pixabay.com
Part 2…
“It’s my Captain Midnight’s Secret Decoder Ring!”
“You dragged me here for a stupid kid’s ring?”
“I did.” He knelt on one knee, “marry me?”
(139 Characters)
~kat
(p.s. I can’t leave you hanging this week…she said yes. 🙂
like mercury colliding... 