Poems from my Merriam-Webster Word of the Day project. For more information, look here.

---

speculate : to meditate on or ponder a subject : REFLECT

eyes narrow
assessments begin
I see it
I feel it
You speculate. You conclude.
In silence I wait.

shadorma 486 : 12/23/22

---

eleemosynary : of, relating to, or supported by charity

The will. The long word.
Eleemosynary. What?
A cat charity?
That’s where Grandpa’s fortune goes?
It’s time to start meowing.

tanka 391 : 2/1/23

---

despot : a ruler with absolute power and authority

With his permission
we exist. The cat rules us
as the mood takes him
A somewhat benign despot
his claws clicking on the floor.

tanka 393 : 2/8/23

---

---

Attributions:

“Speculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/speculate. Accessed 23 Dec. 2022.

“Eleemosynary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eleemosynary. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.

“Despot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despot. Accessed 8 Feb. 2023.