Thinking about Words

Words on my Mind:

Compendium:
-A compendium is a comprehensive collection of knowledge on a particular subject. Such as a book of all the mammals in the Cayman Islands, or a collection of baby names. Key here is the compilation implied in the word. I like the word (and I like compendiums) because they contain a huge amount of knowledge that, while sometimes seemingly useless, informs the reader on all the different angles involved in a particular field. One might say that Moby Dick was somewhat of a compendium of whaling knowledge, a seemingly useless field for a poli sci student, but the knowledge obtained through its reading is utterly fascinating. Something that would not be a compendium would be an Uncle Johns Bathroom reader, or any other book of random facts, a compendium is focused in on one particular field, and is therefore able to explore it intimately.

Anachronism:
-An anachronism is something that's taken outside of its own time frame. This could mean something like an ipod in a Rembrandt, but it more commonly means the existence of something from a previous time in the present. For instance, I enjoy typing on an old manual typewriter and I also enjoy listening to vinyl, you could say that I'm anachronistic. Now the cool thing about the word "anachronism" is that it doesn't have to apply to concrete objects, it can apply to ideas. Any ideas that are outdated (the world is flat) would fall into this category. The problem is that we, in the present, have too little of an appreciation for what lies in the past, we are quick to shunt it aside in favor of new things and new ideas. So anachronisms can sometimes be either true (in the case of ideas) or simply better (in the case of objects). For instance, it's a little known fact that vinyl sounds way better than cds (but cassettes always sucked).

Hinterland:
-Hinterland is the name given to a geographical area that is a peripheral area, supporting a core, in the core-periphery model. It primarily refers to the transfer of resources from the periphery to the core, but also to people, ideas, etc. The word hinterland is unique in that it specifically refers to the land behind a city that acts as its periphery. I like this word because it describes a unique 'sheltered' periphery, instead of the periphery lying exposed around the core, it lies behind it. In German (the language of origin) it literally means 'the land behind'.

Lusus Naturae:
-Lusus Naturae refers to a sportive creation of nature. Historically this word applied to creatures that supposedly betrayed some greater intelligence in nature, one that would joke with humans by making bizarre things. These creatures would not serve any real purpose except for sport. I like the word because it's the scientific classification for monsters. Anything that really can't be classified at all, or is there for "sport" would fall under Lusus Naturae. Of course, this means that Lusus Naturae doesn't really exist, being as all creation is there for a purpose, but it's an interesting concept, an anachronism if you will.

pipe smoking professor

The Passing and the Keeping

I fully realize that my hiatus from blogging may have taken a toll on my already small readership, but I've never really believed in saving the good stuff for the times that people will read it. The idea of strange alcoves tucked away in confusing libraries, containing mysteries or beautiful things, more valuable for the rarity of their discovery, anachronisms, unchallenged because of their anonymity. This idea has always fascinated me. The internet is not such a place, by its very intransience it corrupted itself too early for the chance of any natural structure to evolve. While certain forms are constanly being imposed on it, with the hope that they will somehow come to define it or tame it, this is a vain hope, it is a wild and unruly beast. Not a good one either. And yet... There are so many possibilities, so many opportunities latent in its form. Anyways, I originally intended to post something that I wrote very methodically, and thus far it has just been ramblings, so here's something that I wrote recently that I kindof like.
Pipe Smoking Professor

Keep a Magic for the Passing

The held back light, readied
in busy anticipation for the long shadows.
Its touch brings shades like Midas
yet softer and poorer still,
hints of burnt oranges emboss themselves,
impressed on seldom lit trunks
by beams that boast a rarer vintage

On some far hill the shadows spike,
intruding like a doctor for a sick relative
and soon, on the edge of abrasive pine,
the sky will spill its life
the ineffectual letting of blood

But we do not mourn
for what has not passed.
We regale in the lime verdance
in clasped hands keep finches and frogs
The season is late in leaving,
the sun delayed in falling,
a hum of static enchantment
scarcely allows a shallow breath
so we capture rays like earthy totems,
aware of their magic,
readying them for the soon enough