Popular Word

Popular Word … takes on a life of its own

 written by

 Jeannette Zink

I have a passion for words.  So, when an interesting word begins to repeatedly show up in conversations, my lexis-loving heart sends hugs and kisses to the alphabet universe of well-arranged letters. 

 

One such intriguing word that seems to casually find its way between the exchange of thoughts and decorative elaboration of topics is the word narrative.  I love the beauty of its intoxicating sound.  The visual on the page of this delightful word is like viewing a romantic waltz as the letters dance in rhythmic composition.  I almost feel like attempting a curtsy to show my respect to its elegance. 

 

First things first, let’s review the Oxford Dictionary’s definition of this beauty of a word… narrative (adjective):  describing events or telling a story.  See what I mean – even the definition is simply exquisite.

Before I know it, I begin to build this beauty of a word into my sentences.  After all, I am a well-educated person; I cannot be left behind at the expressive engine-language gate.   No, I will consciously insert this graceful word in with my community of words used to form sentences -- telling my story -- in the spirit of human verbal interaction. 

Just the other day, I wove in a little refined pizazz, in what could have been a very ordinary sentence, by embroidering my best new friend-word, narrative.  Are you ready for this ….  Every story has two sides, some day we will learn the narrative to this untold side.  See what I mean … just makes one want to dance a jig with this catchy linguistic partner.  One of those… you had me at narrative … kind of moments.

Life offers many joys … the narratives are endless.  Go out in the world, my friends, and tell your narrative.  The narrative you share will soon take on a life of its own … oh, the places a narrative can and will go!

May we all enjoy the narrative of each new day.

I don't need More ... any longer

written by

Jeannette Zink

We often remember some of the details, but not all of the facts.  Our days so strained with mental baggage that we are barely able to lift the suitcase of day to day living. Exhausted muscles struggle to carry the best that we choose to or can offer the day. Just hazy images of a time that was more valued by its lost soul currency of perceived ambition.  We, at our worst when certain it was our best, hold tight the shadowy hand of uncertainty as we blissfully travel the gravel path of better tomorrow's.

Like most things taken for granted, we cast aside the day's prize for what is surely much better waiting just around the next bend.  Today's fragile kaleidoscope of fragmented events never quiet the picture we hoped when viewed from the window edge of utopian perfection.

My strategy was simple - just to make it through one moment to the next - with as few emotionally-invested steps as possible.  I was most assured that what was to come would be far grandeur than the sheer love and enjoyment found within each now.  The now was just my stepping stone to better times ... when I would have more and be more ... always the emphasis on the more.  People, places and things to be tolerated, not cherished with unconditional grace, but a necessary means to the much better end ... the sacred illusive more.

Little did I know then what I know now, with unquestionable certainty, the more that I found to be so seductive was never within my reach.  The soul of my being craved not the more's; but rather, secretly desiring the magnificent gift ... love.  This is the prize worthy of my struggles, tears and sorrows.  This is the precious gift that will endure a lifetime.

While we may wrap this jewel in the finest paper and tie with exquisite ribbons and bows, the simple beauty and warmth waiting within is our mighty MORE … less becoming the highly regarded more, and the modest elegance of LOVE … our golden ring.

In the beginning ...

written by
Jeannette Zink 

I love a good book, especially its exquisite opening paragraph.  The writer is immediately establishing a pledge of expectation to me, the reader, in those first few chosen words.  A bond of assurance sealed with the author's mark of a pen and the remarkable journey ready to commence.  The rollercoaster ride of text is bound for twists and turns and fine-tuned melodic artistry.  The writer has cautiously cherry-picked a cleverly structured sentence with its impeccable and attractive punctuation.  We can now hitch our proverbial wagon to that undeniable quest for the next grand sentence and the next. The sheer placement of a comma or the companion semicolon may easily stir an emotional longing of remembrance when life's bitter fruit was sweeter and our dreams held a glow so bright that the night wore sunglasses. The rhythm and sound of words, intuitively placing our mind in an upright position and a toe tapping attention to each strung together phrase.

These are the labors and joys of the artistic storyteller ... to garner our willingness to travel this journey of majestic prose.  It may be a risky expedition since we can never be guaranteed, as in life, that the beginning will play out as hinted; the in-between as entertaining as was pledged; or, the ending as we may had secretly hoped by the time the writer's last word is laid to rest on the page. The End provoking a sense of bravery that our time was well spent on a good read.  If not ... oh well, there are always other books.  The infinite possibilities of opening paragraphs - some even grand - await us with each new book.  Our sense of smell tweaked by each glorious page as we eagerly open the gift of that first paragraph.

Read on, my friends ... read on ... because in the beginning... there just may be an exquisite opening paragraph.

Shadows in the Light

written by 

Jeannette Zink 

The scent of today no longer our concern--

just sweet ash memories;

shadows of tomorrow now free to dance in new day's light--

turn cartwheels on lavender waves of hope.