So once again I’ve started reading, for pleasure, the dictionary. On an on-going basis, I’ll post ten words I discover (or rediscover) from each section that appeal to me, along with my interpretation of their “poetic” significance”. Here are the A’s:
aeropause the atmospheric elevation above which aircraft cannot fly In a poetic context, this could apply to Icarus or human efforts in general.
aphasia loss of the ability to speak or understand speech Besides its medical connotations, aphasia has poetic implications as well, particularly when looked at from the reverse side: perhaps it is a loss of the ability to speak or understand a language which no longer has purpose, or to communicate in such a way that is beyond language itself.
aphelion the point on a planetary orbit farthest from the sun Ah, the ramifications of this one are many: humankind’s distance from its spiritual origin(s), the darkest point in a personal history, that point at which epiphanies are discovered that lead to a return to the light.
apocrypha writings of questionable authenticity Perhaps documents indicating the presence of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of our once-allies and now conveniently enemies?
appurtenance something that belongs with or to another more important thing; an accessory The quality exuberated by George W. Bush in the presence of Dick Cheney?
arabesque an intricate design of innerwoven leaves, flowers, and geometric forms The warp and woof of the carpet of life.
arrogate to claim, take or assume for onself without right Arrogant self delegation; an assumption of powers beyond one’s comprehension; judgment of another’s way of life.
atheneum a library a beautiful word; the temple of Athena to signify a place to pay homage to knowledge.
augur a soothsayer or seer; to predict, especially from signs Of course, it all depends on who put up the signs, and in what language they are given.
auriferous containing gold, or gold-bearing To assume one’s path is auriferous is to seek within the lining within the grayest cloud for a mere glimmer of precious metal.
