Ode to Hateful Vocabulary

Merriam Webster LogoAround M3, you will test the boundaries of your vocabulary. Most words are placed in context so you may determine their definition merely by reading the ones which surround them in association with the title or the theme for the section. On other occasions, the words with not-so-obvious meanings have been highlighted with a link to their definitions. Today, we are testing the boundaries of vocabulary.

Long ago, M3 established Merriam Webster as the go-to authority for defining the vocabulary which haunts these posts. Today is no different. The link to Merriam Webster will open in another tab. Feel free to double click on words to highlight them. You can right-click to copy or use the CTRL-C method. Paste them into the search box and press enter for the instantaneous delivery of the meaning.

Hateful

The primary definition of hateful is “malicious”, which means having or showing a desire to cause harm to someone: given to, marked by, or arising from malice. All sounds quite onerous, no?

The Ode to Hateful Vocabulary is a stream of consciousness poem which was Mantra venting some rightfully malicious thoughts. As has been an undercurrent in the last week, even those things which seem malicious on the surface have a redeeming quality which sees through the absurd, the dispassionate and even the shamelessly spiteful. In short, the comparison of good versus evil is the theme which highlights the power of inspiration in the face of adversity.

Rather than focusing on the object of the hateful tide, read about the way to triumph in the face of those whose (incompetence, disillusion, delusion) prevent them from seeing beyond the moment and keep them (projecting, repeating, reinventing) it far into the future.

If you are acrophobic, please forgive the allusion to rappelling, which is the actual name of this particular poem. We take this plunge with nothing more than the rope. Whatever harness and gear you may envision is your own consciousness supplying safeguards. Feel free to let them go. The journey is one of victory. Your safe passage to the ground is absolute.

For you see, the same power which supplied the safety equipment is testament to the wiles necessary to navigate safe passage.

You will be fine.

Rappelling

Despite the complications of Mundania
and the ignorance of its inhabitants,
I find in each new dawn inspiration to
seek more knowledge, get out and take a chance.

Walk out to the precipice’s edge and breathe in
the sweet perfume of adventure and danger.
Fear flees in the confident presence of practicality,
treading headlong at a stranger.

Wisdom speaks, sharing the physics of surefootedness
awash in the innocuous consequences
to befall each footstep along the trail’s lonesome
pathway… nothing left to happenstance.

Both hands wrap around the hanging rope ready
to swing o’er the ledge toward the ubiquitous air.
In free fall is freedom from the inanity,
the sloven complacency, the unrequited care.

Sliding along its length brings unabashed euphoria
the likes of which remain incomparable
to the hackneyed elation of those whose
imaginations abandon, left incapable

Of grasping the unadulterated pleasure,
at the end of the cord, dangling.
Far too busy publicly showing frustration
in their futile attempts untangling.

The self-proclaimed disasters whose only
validity exists in frantic “what if”s,
but reality proves are only the desolation
of choosing to abandon one’s innate gifts.

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What does it take to let go of the handrail and swing out onto the rope? How freeing is it to not be mired in the “emergencies” created by other people?

~~~~~~~~~~

© Red Dwyer
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35 Comments

  1. authormjlogan

     /  March 18, 2012

    Too complex for my dead brain this evening. On a plus, I am back from Wis and no longer tied to IE 6 or windows ME.

    I shall return and revisit this glorious act of word-smythery.

    Reply
  2. What does it take to let go of the handrail and swing out onto the rope?

    The belief that the handrail, like the past, is static. Life is meant to be dynamic, and so perhaps the term “leap of faith” is what it takes to let go of the handrail.

    How freeing is it to not be mired in the “emergencies” created by other people?

    Understanding that you have the ability to choose and act of your own volition, that you do control your course can be quite liberating indeed. The only caveat is realizing you are free to choose the actions, but not necessarily the consequences of those actions.

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      That is truly where we have to take responsibility for the freedom we have. To not take it is sociopathy. Walking away from the drama is a choice. I daresay a “good” choice…

      Reply
  3. Red, we have come to the inevitable conclusion that it takes a bit of nerve to let go of the rail where it is totally foolish to do so. Contrary to popular opinion, that is why Depends were invented.
    We like the concept of exercising wisdom when all else fails. Take spares along.
    I have never been easily convinced that dangling over any cliff on a rope was a bright idea, so have studiously avoided doing such things, especially using rotten ropes provided by persons suffering from hackneyed elation which as you know is best left to fools, delinquents and unconscious spammers that haven’t yet realized M3 has moved.
    The best way to avoid being involved in other people’s ’emergencies’,( ie. getting loaded into an ambulance quickly after their rotten rope breaks, ) and (unnecessarily) damaging bones and important connective tissues) is to get a corner office on the second floor, a Shitzu pup and write alien comic books with green crayons. Btw, I see your love button is still green from lack of use, or is it just Irish?
    I don’t mind climbing, but the stopping overly fast getting even at the bottom part annoys me. I’ll need danger pay, a jelly-bean dispenser, and by the way, leave the lights on so I can find the extension ladder . Go figure huh? “:)

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      Here the rope is not a gag. It is your own rope. Your own knots. A life line of the truest sort. Your own choice to disengage the contrived emergency of Mundania, the drama created by those whose only adrenaline comes from the creation of catastrophe which only exists within the feeble walls of a questionable mind…

      Reply
      • Why would one bother to disengage themselves from Mundanian ‘contrivances’ and drama, only to create one’s own maze of knots, rotten ropes,– and precariously hang around, only to be smartly tripped up and willingly dropped on one’s head? That may indeed indicate a questionable mind. Interestingly, adrenaline, however generated–is still adrenaline, is it not? That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try it! “:)
        “Tis a disastrous web we weave”.
        By the way, Red, this is a great poem, seriously. “:)

        Reply
        • Red

           /  March 19, 2012

          Very true. This is a poem which, if left to my own devices, would have been more spidery. I think Mantra’s image makes more of a statement…far less subtle. I am really glad you like it.

          Reply
  4. Good piece Red! 🙂

    Given I have a distinct fear of heights it will come as no surprise that when I was a kid I took to rock climbing at a quarry site next to my grandparents farm.

    Not because I enjoyed the danger and fear, but because I wasn’t going to let fear beat me.

    No ropes I hasten to add, just bare feet and bare hands… 🙂

    Love and hugs!

    Prenin.

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      There is something exhilarating about climbing rocks. It comes just before “throwing rocks”. I believe as children, we all had the desire of some variety to climb…something…{HUGZ} Red.

      Reply
  5. Hi Red! 🙂

    Thanks for the visit and comment! 🙂

    Yeah the dying rear was not fun and I eat frozen pre-packaged food and am OCD about hand washing every time I handle the trash, or use the loo, so how I get the bug is beyond me! 🙁

    No headcold though! 🙂

    Yeah I still talk to my mum and wish her happy mother’s day, despite everything, but I trust her about as much as I trust a fart – for pretty much the same reason… 🙂

    Still: It was good to get the family news even if that included a death… 🙁

    Sounds so sad when a friend of the family dies, but it sounds like she had a good roll of the dice. 🙂

    Marriages sound fun – I have yet to be invited to one as most of my friends are in partnerships rather than marriages, but I bet you’ll make sure she survives – or her hubby won’t!!! LoL!!!

    Thanks for the best wishes hun – the new chapter is looking rather good and damned easy to write! 🙂

    Love and hugs!

    Prenin.

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      I expected my Brit friends to be in touch, but I am still amazed at how many of my American friends were as well. I supposed it was just in the air. Glad you are feeling better. And perhaps, there is something added to the food which makes you ill…{HUGZ} Red.

      Reply
      • Given I have allergic reactions to penicillin, aspartame, pies of all kinds and Rhubarb (Potentially fatal) I guess it wouldn’t surprise me if I am allergic to other foodstuffs too! 🙁

        I’ve noticed that when I comment here and you reply I only have your reply and the original post – still, it gives me a reason to come visit!!! 🙂

        Love and hugs!

        Prenin.

        Reply
        • Red

           /  March 19, 2012

          You are coming from the emails for comments? The .php for this theme only includes the latest, if I remember it right. I have a potentially fatal reaction to aspartame, which is found in the coatings of many medications and in most all packaged foods. Be checking your labels if your reaction to it is similar to your symptoms. Ask your doctor to check into your meds as well. I know Advil is one which I cannot have because the coating contains aspartame.

          {HUGZ}
          Red.

          Reply
          • Yeah I check food labels while I buy and all my meds and vitamin pills just in case! 🙂

            I had dreadful heart problems for ten days after I stopped taking anything with aspartame in it and now I feel great – hard to believe they’d happily poison everyone! 🙁

            Soon Aspartame will be out of date and other manufacturers will be manufacturing it for an eager market – despite all the warning information on the web…

            The new chapters are taking shape and look very good, but I am both enjoying writing (I have a fertile imagination) and living through periods of great excitement and abject terror.

            I’ve been on benefits or with truly dreadful employers for most of my life, so if this gets accepted I am going to have to face a whole new kind of existence – and it’s scaring me to death! 🙂

            Love and hugs!

            Prenin.

          • Red

             /  March 19, 2012

            Which is why I have always called it NutraPoison. I knew in the very beginning. Not that there are many other choices. Splenda is no better. Completely chemical and only one dimension off of pesticide.

            Great to hear you excited about writing. Nothing to fear!
            {HUGZ}
            Red.

          • Fear is the mind killer, the little death.

            I will allow it to flow past me and through me.

            Paul Atraides – Dune.

            Love and hugs! 🙂

            Prenin.

          • Red

             /  March 20, 2012

            Ironically, I started that book about, oh, a lifetime ago, but never finished it. When the movie came to the cinema, I was just not all that interested. Since, I have seen many quotes and clips. Shh. Don’t tell Bear. He will likely get it just so I will watch it.
            {HUGZ}
            Red.

  6. LOVE Raymond’s comment 🙂 Let go of the handrail???? Why ever would I do that? Handrail=safety net, and I am a bit of a coward when it comes to swinging on ropes or hanging over cliffs. Occasionally, God takes away my handrail and makes me cling to Him, but I’m not a big fan of hanging. 😉

    Other people’s emergencies? Story of my life, but I no longer give in. “Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine.” has been my mantra for a while. It’s amazing how people find their way through or out of their own crap when I don’t go running to bail them out. Win for both of us. Of course, family is the hardest to resist, for they know how to push the buttons!

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      Phil’s perception of the handrail is far closer to mine. It is a stagnancy which is created by the rut (as opposed to the routine). In taking the steps to resist, you are learning the ability to take better, more surefooted steps of your own. It lets you know you can walk without the rail.

      Reply
  7. angela

     /  March 19, 2012

    I am caring for the MIL right now and need a nap already, so my brain is in a fugue state. Only a week to go. I can survive!! I feel like I’m rappelling right now. I like that you’re letting Mantra out more lately 🙂

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      Peace for your family.

      And some days, she just gets out…not me “letting” 😉

      Reply
  8. I have to admit that without context clues I’m often in for a bit of trouble!
    Even with them I can be pretty clueless, though.
    To be fair.
    🙂

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      That is why I always leave the nightlight on 😉 It reduces slip and falls tremendously!

      Reply
  9. Bear

     /  March 19, 2012

    As I let go I FEEL the rush!

    Reply
  10. The idea our friends and loved ones will not point and laugh when our skirts fly up above our heads and prove once again we went commando!

    Letting go, like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is one of those things that reasonable people must bring themselves do through circuitous routes of their own. Rarely will we found a straight path through the woods, rarely will there be a path without wolves and all to frequently will we find at the end of the path that grandma hasn’t been eaten. But even with all that, still some of us let go don’t we.

    Freeing? Yes, always. But also frightening.

    Reply
    • Red

       /  March 19, 2012

      There is so much growth in it. All in all, just once, I would feel so much better if grandma had actually been eaten.

      Reply

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