po·et·ry
(noun)
Literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm; poems collectively or as a genre of literature.
prose
(noun)
Written or spoken language in its ordinary form, without metrical structure.
Or, that's how it's seen by the rest of the world,
isn't it?
We poets, we writers,
We know the difference.
po·et·ry
(noun)
Love. Loss. Joy. Despair. Life. Death.
Not meant to be contained. Not meant to be categorized.
Hope. Fear. Smiles. Tears.
Thoughts spilled upon pages. Emotion let loose from its cage.
Night. Day.
Poetry.
prose
(noun)
A story, scrawled upon a bathroom stall in minutes or spanning novels written in decades. It's a plan and a draft and corrections and improvements, making beautiful creations. It's to be described only as one thing: prose.
What’s the Word?
Nowadays, many slang terms derive from existing words used in novel ways. One such word is “word.” In many different contexts, “word” can mean many different things; more specifically, it is used to agree with someone, to show you understand, to express shock, to convey empathy, and to declare that something is awesome or impressive. It is rarely used to convey disapproval or disagreement consequently making the spirit of the word encouraging, appreciative, and approving. Basically, “word” is synonymous with the phrase “speak the truth.” “Word,” however, can rarely be understood through literary language or out of context as the definition is implied through vernacular language. When used in common day language, “word” is understood through body language, tone of voice, and pronunciation. For example, when “word” is pronounced with an elongated “r,” it expresses extreme support and endorsement. When someone questioningly says “oh word?,” they are often expressing approving shock. Moreover, when someone states “word to everything,” they are usually in an extremely elated state. Lastly, when someone asks, “what’s the word?,” they are asking what about is going on.
The etymology of “word:”
cognate(s) with Old Frisian word (West Frisian wurd ), Old Dutch wort (Middle Dutch wort , word , Dutch woord ), Old Saxon word (Middle Low German wort ), Old High German wort (Middle High German wort , German Wort ), Old Icelandic orð , Old Swedish orþ (Swedish ord ), Old Danish orth (Danish ord ), Gothic waurd , all denoting both ‘an utterance’ and ‘an element or unit of speech, a word’ (Oxford English Dictionary)
It is derives from:
the same Indo-European base as Lithuanian vardas name, forename, title, Latvian vārds word, forename, promise, classical Latin verbum word, showing an extended form of the Indo-European base of ancient Greek ῥήτωρ (earlier ϝρήτωρ ) speaker, (Epic and Ionic) ἐρέω (earlier ϝερέω ; Attic ἐρῶ ) I shall say, and perhaps also Sanskrit vrata behest, command (OED)
The foundations of the word “word,” as stated above, have helped shape and form how it is used today. In different areas, “word” was used to generally represent the same notion of a component of language. In the Oxford English Dictionary, these definitions are then supported with a timeline of examples of the usage of “word.” These timelines vary from length from definition to definition showing how some applications have disappeared quickly or after some time as the utility of “word” changed. With each related definition of “word,” it has taken on different meanings at various points in history.
For instance, “word” is defined as “speech, utterance, (or) verbal expression” and sub-defined as “something that is or has been said,” “in apposition, with the text of utterance or statement as complement,” “in negative contexts (or with negative implied),” “a watchword; a password,” “a (short or slight) utterance, statement, or remark,” or as “something said on behalf of another” (OED). The first three sub-definitions stated above are denoted as “Now rare” and their timelines have confirmed this statement as they are shortened and outdated. A more closely related definition of “word” as it is commonly used today is “an act of speaking or uttering something, usually in contrast with writing, or with action, gesture, thought, etc” (OED). As explained above, the slang definition of “word” is usually expressed through vernacular language rather than literary language. This definition correlates as writing is not the chief way of using this slang term. This is further illustrated by J. Erksine in Inst. Law Scotl. II.III.iii (1771) who said, “this contract cannot be perfected till the mandatory has undertaken to execute the mandate; which he may do, either by word, by writing, or by any deed which sufficiently discovers his resolution” illustrating the distinction between word and written language (OED). The definition of “word” can also be described as “report, information, news, (or) tidings” (OED). This definition differs from previous definitions stated as it is more specific and certain with it’s definition. When “word” is examined in a broader sense, it is less understood and less clear as to what the function and utility is of the word. As time progresses, it becomes clear that words lose their general meanings and gradually come to represent a single, more precise and explicit idea. To put it differently, analyzing words suggests that the factors that shape language arise from people discovering what words more accurately describe over time. In this case, “word” has progressed from a verbal expression to a verbal expression of specific approval. In it’s former, general definition, “word” could be used in many different ways while now it is used with less ambiguity.
In the broader picture, the nature of definition is never a definite one, as the word implies. With changing times, changing definitions are necessary to words functional in current society. Dialect and language have progressed as unfit words continue to disappear. Just as sciences advance everyday and previously accepted hypotheses are disbanded, languages change everyday and previously used terms become inappropriate, inadequate, and improper in context. As definitions are constantly changing, the nature of definition can best be described as deceiving and constantly transforming as time continues and society transitions.
#CecilyChoi #ShortWriting #Whatstheword #Whatsinaname #word
Trapped
What can someone do
When words won't come out
When they are all brewing inside
But won't manifest on paper
What can someone do
When all the ink running through veins
And under skin it starts to ache
When everything in life becomes dull
If there is an escape to this sentiment I'm feeling
Why does it seem that no one cares about it
I'm surrounded by many
But still feel like a shadow
Where is he? Where is she?
They've stolen everything that kept me awake
Now I only dream on how to get a hold of both of them
Now I'm only a dreamer trying to escape reality
I am.
I'm trying to escape the pain
That caresses brought
I'm trying to escape the nightmare they call love
How come everyone sees love red and pink
When in reality it is all dark and violet
It destroys lives
It makes chests hurt
It shuts poets mouths
When it is unrequited
When it is forbidden
When it is only on one side of the river
Now I ask myself
What can someone do
When words won't come out
To say all they want to say
They just remain quiet
Yet they burn their cage
Yet they mean nothing
Because they were not said
To those they were meant to
They will never be said
They will remain shut
Hermetic
Mere conglomerates of sentiments
Forming a weak barrier around
A heart who used to love flagrantly
I just don't know what can someone do...
DA 2016
Thank You Mr. Trump
I recognize hate.
Hate keeps me from love.
It keeps me from home,
follows as I shop,
laughs when I walk by,
hovers when I sit
for a quick respite,
questions my motives,
speaks euphemisms
at me while laughing.
When confronted, hate,
denies wrongdoing
and then it labels
me as paranoid.
Hate contaminates.
Imagine our world
as it’s lost its faith,
wholly void of hope,
completely emptied
of the signs of Love.
