Etymology

Day 30 NaPoWriMo 2020

(Photo by Aashish Vaidya)

 

Etymology

 

There is the god connection:
Adios, Adieu, Addio, Adeus, Adjo
Khuda Hafez, Sbohem, Goodbye, Sat Sri Akal –
To god, with god, go with god, be god with you,
Truth is the Great Timeless One

There is usually just hellos, and no goodbyes:
Aloha, Namaste, Ciao, Shalom, Salaam

All just to say, this is merely
an interlude,
A pause
Till we meet again –
Auf wiedersehen, Do svidaniya, arrivederci
Au revoir, Do Wizdenia or
as my mom
Taught me
Aavjo – Come again!

 

Notes:  Day 30 of NaPoWriMo 2020. The prompt:

“And last, but not least, our final (optional) prompt! In some past years, I’ve challenged you to write a poem of farewell for our thirtieth day, but this year, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem about something that returns. For, just as the swallows come back to Capistrano each year, NaPoWriMo and GloPoWriMo will ride again!”

I dwell into the etymology of expressions for goodbyes in several languages to end the 2020 NaPoWriMo adventure.  In many languages, the etymology usually, literally, means till we meet again.

Some final thoughts about National Poetry Writing Month.  I have been off and on following Marueen Thorsen’s NaPoWriMo site since 2013.  And it is such a pleasure and a great challenge to write something, even a small poem, everyday.  And I appreciate all she does to provide amazing resources and prompts that help you along the adventure.  I just wish I had more time, not only to read so much amazing work that many do during this month.  But to also deep dive and explore many of the resources Maureen puts together. A big thanks to her, as this has to be such a great labor of love. Either way, till we meet again, be well, stay safe and of course Aavjo.

Infamy

Day 29 of NaPoWriMo 2020

(Photo by Aashish Vaidya)

Infamy

Infamy is an elephant
It trumpets disharmony –
It is de-tusked –
Lo, all it does is lumber around.

 

Notes:  Day 29 of NaPoWriMo 2020.  I suppose elephants are no pets, so this may be off-prompt.  I was stuck today as I have never had a pet, nor have one and will not have one and in anticipation of a busy day ahead tomorrow.  But, then I remember a 2013 prompt that asked you to write an “opposite poem”.  So I picked this Emily Dickinson poem:

Fame is a bee.
It has a song—
It has a sting—
Ah, too, it has a wing.
 
I liked where I ended up with my attempt (for now, at least).

The prompt for today is:

“…to write a paean to the stalwart hero of your household: your pet. Sing high your praises and tell the tale of Kitty McFluffleface’s ascension of Mt. Couch. Let us hear how your intrepid doggo bravely answers the call to adventure whenever the leash jingles.

If you don’t have a pet, perhaps you know one or remember one who deserves to be immortalized in verse. For inspiration, I direct you to a selection from an 18th-century poem by Christopher Smart, Jubilate Agno, in which the poet’s praise for his cat ranges from “For he is docile and can learn certain things” all the way up to “For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.” Personally, I’m lucky if my cat doesn’t just sleep the day away, but I find her pretty delightful all the same.”