whatever you do
watch what you say, choose your words
your voice has no sway
in a world so divided
where opinions are deemed truth
~kat
For Colleen Chesebro’s Weekly Poetry Challenge, a Tanka this week prompted by the words Voice and Watch.
Tag Archives: word prompt
opinionated
Late Holiday
Photo from The Old Farmer’s Almanac
sleep in if you like
there is no such thing as late
when on holiday
late summer storms swell
each tempest has a nickname
holiday spoiler
~kat
For Ronovan Writes Haiku Challenge, prompt words Late & Holiday.
Fossick – Friday’s Word of the Day
Fossick is today’s word of the day at Dictionary.com. It’s an Aussie word…as in primarily used and originating in Australia. It means to hunt; seek; ferret out and is also a mining term that means to undermine another’s digging; search for waste gold in relinquished workings, washing places, etc.
Dictionary.com explains: The verb fossick is confined pretty much to Australia and New Zealand. As with many regional and dialect words, its etymology is unclear: the verb seems to be a regional British term fussock, fursick meaning “to fuss, fidget, bustle.” In Australia and New Zealand fossick originally meant to hunt for gold or other precious metals or precious stones by digging with a knife or by studying the ground for overlooked fragments. Fossick has an additional sense of hunting for or foraging for small items e.g., to fossick through a drawer for scissors. Fossick entered English in the 19th century.
Did you know that there is an entire tourist industry devoted to fossicking in Australia? Intrepid explorers need a license to fossick, and there are a number of rules and responsibilities to be followed. But for those who choose to plan for a day of fossicking on their itinerary, there are is treasure waiting to be found.
Australia has a long history when it comes to fossicking. Depending on the site, fossickers may find a treasure trove of gems including opals, topaz, garnets, diamonds, sapphires, zircon, and gold. There are designated areas devoted to the pastime. Here’s a LINK to learn more.
So, I’ve learned something new. Who knew fossicking was a thing? Apparently the Aussies knew! I guess you had to be there…down under, that is!
Have a great weekend. Happy fossicking! A few Haiku…
seasoned fossickers
are ferreting gold-diggers
treasure ‘midst rubble
tourists down-under
plan fossicking excursions
for nuggets of gold
dusty nooks, cluttered,
second-hand tomes to fossick
where book mongers swoon
~kat
Mental
Mental
The pyramids he built had magical powers, sharpening his used razor blades while happy-sad Jesus watched from a frame on the wall.
Then he dismantled the family car, replicating a Chilton’s Manual diagram on the driveway.
He often argued with a gun barrel. It had the last word eventually, silencing the voices.
~kat
A word about this week’s 52 Words in 52 Weeks Story. The prompt was “pyramids”.
When most people think of “pyramids” they think of the ancient wonders in Egypt. When I hear the word “pyramid” it triggers memories of my dad and one of his many obsessions.
No one noticed the signs, or if they did they didn’t say, because we didn’t talk about mental illness back then. People suffered in silence, or self medicated with alcohol like my dad. He may very well have been a genius, but he was also bat-shit crazy. I loved him dearly; he terrified me. He was the “monster” of my childhood nightmares.
So I’m stepping up on my soapbox for a moment. Mental illness is not a weakness or embarrassment. We need to talk about it. For heaven’s sake, if you or someone you love is suffering, get help. There is help to be found. There is no one like you. Really. No one like you.
And if writing about this can help save just one person from my dad’s fate, it will have been worth pouring my heart out on this page….
Safe – A Haiku
there is no safe place
no high ground, no border wall
to save us from us
~kat
For Haiku Horizons Challenge, prompt word, safe.
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