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

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paladin : a trusted military leader (as for a medieval prince)

Ambition
and rank: Figurines
grab shelf space.
Who’s the boss?
Pink mermaid? Stern paladin?
Fat simpering clown?

shadorma 492 : 1/16/23

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fresco : the art of painting on freshly spread moist lime plaster with water-based pigments : a painting executed in fresco

a forlorn fresco
melancholy in makeup
the sad circus clown

haiku 1079 : 3/1/23

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substantive : having substance : involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned

After the dinner
substantive discussions lag
Digestive matters
take precedence over talk.
Oh, why won’t that fool shut up?

tanka 335 : 9/11/22

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Attributions:

“Paladin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paladin. Accessed 16 Jan. 2023.

“Fresco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fresco. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023.

“Substantive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substantive. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.