Marcellus, Marcus Claudius stared into the streets-- its painted statues towered over market stalls, while oblivious to it all, the masses throbbed onward, onward, pulsating in the rhythm of the Tiber. Public slaves lined the walls, whitewashing them to conceal the graffiti that would insult any senator, while onward, onward, one after another lecticae jostled past. He didn't need to see the occupants to know that, adorned in crimson-striped togas, each senator sat upward behind curtains of his lectica-- to not be thought of as effeminate. And so twirling his thumbs until hypnotized into the fourth dimension, Marcellus, Marcus Claudius walked with the Tiber beating inside him. *** © 2021 selmamartin.com
One of my favorite things to do as a child was reading my dictionary.
It was the thickest book in the house, and it made me happy when I
was told I could keep it as my very own. Therefore, I was determined
to learn every word written there. I didn’t do so bad. *wink*
The (optional) prompt: I’m calling this one “Past and Future.” This prompt challenges you to write a poem using at least one word/concept/idea from each of two specialty dictionaries: Lempriere’s Classical Dictionary and the Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction.
Then the prompt today — two dictionaries? I was sure I was going to love this,
yet I was not crazy about the prompt. Still, I felt challenged to try, and try I did.
All’s I’ll say is that Lemprière’s Classical Dictionary was hard to decipher. While the
Science Fiction Dictionary was pleasing to look over, I failed to see farther than the
beautiful words listed on the page. I’m sure these two specialty dictionaries are
priceless and helpful to many. I haven’t achieved that level yet.
I already struggle with History and don’t have the caliber for understanding Science
fiction. But fresh out of reading Antonius, Son of Rome, ancient Rome novel; and
Beyond the Horizon Line, a science fiction novel– both lovely reads, I thought of looking up words I learned from those two books. Couldn’t find them.
In the end, the words I selected from the two dictionaries are Marcellus, Marcus Claudius, and the fourth dimension.
I hope you find something to like here today as I put my all into it — regardless!
(Lecticae: portable couches in ancient Rome; palanquins, litters)
Photo: Image by Manolo Franco from Pixabay
and, Image by Lolame from Pixabay
Antonious, Son of Rome, Author website. Please visit.
Beyond The Horizon Line, Author website. Please visit.
Thanks for reading, my lovelies, and on this Monday, day 12 of the April challenge, I
wish you miracles as always.
- Day 23: NaPoWriMo 2024–The Superheroic Prompt - April 23, 2024
- Day 22: NaPoWriMo 2024–I’m a Lover, Not A Fighter - April 22, 2024
- Day 21: NaPoWriMo 2024– Grays Before Blues Before Mauves - April 21, 2024
Loved the closing line. It evoked a strong image of someone leaving one dimension, perhaps with sadness or regrets but also grateful for what they had or experienced.
Gloria, sweet Gloria in Germany. You are a gem. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I appreciate you. I wish you miracles — Selma in Japan.
Love the charm, the pulsating aliveness, the being-thereness with the senses that your words conjure.
Hi. Thanks so much for reading and commenting on my words. You make my heart sing. I appreciate this more than you know. Thanks
most sincerely. I wish you miracles.
Selma, congrats to you for being chosen as the poet of the day. Your piece is strong. I was happy to be directed to it.
I love your openness and would love to connect.
gramswisewords.blogspot.com
Hehe, gramswisewords, co-featured with a real poet. You’ve no idea how important this is for me, an enthusiast of life who’s enjoying
rubbing shoulders with real poets in this forum. I appreciate you reading and commenting and of course for the felicitations. All lovely
to me. Thank you. I’ll come see you cause I too wish to connect. I wish you miracles.
Hey, Maz Green. I went looking for you. Found you. Read your haiku and loved it but I couldn’t find a place where to comment. Also, I looked for you in the forum but had no luck there. Hey, Maz, are you aware that we have the option of posting the links to our stories on the forum for everyone to see and comment on? If you have no idea what I mean, let me know and I’ll explain. Be well, my dear. Let’s talk again and again I wish you miracles. selma.
Congratulations on your nod at NaPoWroMo.
Thanks for that. I appreciate you. Be well. I wish you miracles, always.
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Congratulations Selma on being featured. ‘ Marcellus, Marcus Claudius walked with the Tiber beating inside him’ – a powerful line. Would love to connect. My blog is https://smithavishwanathsblog.com/
Yeah, I understand the dictionary thing. My mom was a writer and my dad got her a used Webster’s 2nd Edition Unabridged at the local library book sale (I’ve inherited it). And then a few years ago, after going to lunch at my husband’s and my favorite Middle Eastern restaurant in Pittsburgh, and were walking back to where the car was parked, we noticed a boxed 2 volume Compact OED in the window of an antiquarian bookshop in the same block as the restaurant. And he bought it for me and for the next two months I told random strangers “My husband got me a dictionary for Christmas! Isn’t that AWESOME? Best Xmas gift EVAH!” And of course everyone looked at me as if I was just nuts. But I knew I wasn’t…. And you are obviously a kindred spirit. Just like me, just like my mother….
Hey, Ruth. I know, right! Priceless– these thick books are everything you need. I appreciate you sharing that lovely piece of history with me. I adore it.
Try not to feel bad about how others respond to your enthusiasm. Their loss, indeed. I’m so glad you dropped me a line to let me know I’m not alone here.
Hey, by the way, did you happen to peek into that classical dictionary? Gosh! You should. At least once. I was at a complete loss, overwhelmed by it.
I’ve tamed down a few notches now that I’ve seen how others in the group used it. I appreciate you, Ruth M. You are welcome here anytime. Be well. I wish you
miracles. Selma.
Congratulations on the NaPoWriMo feature. I loved reading your process notes for this challenge too.
Thanks, Nina. That was a lucky day I co-featured with unassortedstories.com It was perfect. Glad you enjoyed that process I shared too.Be well. I wish you miracles.
Beautiful lines. I am glad, I found you on WP.
Ahh. Thanks much. Glad you liked that one. Happy you came to look 👀
Be well. I wish you miracles
Thank you for the wishes.
Very nicely done, Selma! Indeed, you have the heart of a poet! Your inspiration humbled me!
What an honor it is, Brook Allen. You rock, lady! Long may your books inspire. Long may you live. And thank YOU! be well. I wish you miracles.
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