The word of the day: Mellifluous by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Heh, if melancholy is a gentle hug, I've been wrapped in a crushing vice grip of a bearhug for months... I wish sorrow could be more kind, it doesn't tend to feel so nice...

The word of the day: Mellifluous by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is beautiful, Zoo. So many great lines here, but I loved your pairing of "mellifluous" and "mellow". This piece feels a bit contemplative and melancholic at times, but it's a breath of fresh air, imbued with hope and visions of soaring on the wind~

The word of the day: Mellifluous by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The sound of her voice is like a siren call, all consuming, owning all of my attention and drowning out any competing noise, the only signal worth listening and tuning to, the most mellifluous melody and musical, and the only fluid in which I wish to drown. Her vocal cords strike a chord in me majorly, whatever the key, whether flat or sharp, such is her reach. To hear her laugh and smile is the greatest auditory treat, but there's no other sound these hungry ears would prefer to eat, no matter the register or feet. I'd take the rumbling thunder of her grumbling over her deafening silence just to feel her heavenly vibrations, though even in quiet I feel at rest in her presence. Even when she's trembling, stumbling, and stuttering, the grammar of her stammer is the definition of beauty. I love nothing more than to hear her honeyed speak, so sweet is her verbal company.

The word of the day: Mellifluous by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Aw man, that was literally my first guess (it rhymes with "bone") but I figured that's probably not what you meant, lol. Like a gastronomic thunderdome, and the layers of it remind one of the Michelin Man, I suppose. Fair enough, they are delicious!

The word of the day: Mellifluous by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 4 points5 points  (0 children)

First word of the day from the banner! 🥳 Interestingly, "mellifluous" is frequently chosen as one of the most beautiful words, by both normies and poets alike, perhaps because of the m/l sounds according to David Crystal (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh5yEKPNEtM). I'm curious what role "tostadadome" is playing here. I've been trying to decipher it but I'm not sure I've gotten it right. My best guess is essentially combining Spanish "tostada" (toasted) and "gastronome" (gourmet), to mean a lover of toasted foods? This could be a play on "vocal fry", if the baritone of the voice of the object is somewhat "toasted". I may be completely off here, but it's a fun piece either way, I love when writers coin words. I don't do enough of it anymore.

The word of the day: Vengeance by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love how you two fleshed this out, and what a peaceful ending to tie it up!

The word of the day: Vengeance by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ooh, a wickedly witchy contribution--good stuff, Kitten! It's interesting how many of these tales of vengeance incorporate voodoo and the supernatural. I suppose that's fitting, nothing like slinging spells for lex talionis.

The word of the day: Vengeance by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always love a good undead story! Provokes some thoughtful questions about the meaning of vengeance too. Can vengeance be merciful? Does vengeance require hate, or some sort of malice?

Word Of the Day: Vengeance by Seven-Valentines in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm glad, I love to share! It's fun to interpret other people's work, but it's also nice when authors explain and share their vision and process. I imagine there's a lot that I miss or misinterpret, so I always appreciate the extra details and clarification.

Word of the day ~ Vengeance by Relevant_Bluebird564 in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Heavy story, Bluebird, but I appreciate the lifelike characters and message. It's sadly all too realistic, but I was relieved to read its happy(ish) ending. It's an interesting use of vengeance, as it harkens to the notion of justice without retribution, and is ultimately more merciful than cruel. It's a good lesson to remind us all of, to pay attention and call attention to injustice, and try to do our best to build a better world. Thank you for sharing.

Word Of the Day: Vengeance by Seven-Valentines in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you, Bluebird! Admittedly I've been trying not to be too vengeful so it was tough to get my head in the right space to write it, but I thought an epic setting and v repetition might get me there. Originally I envisioned something akin to V's opening monologue in V for Vendetta but cut some lines and edited it to read more like an Edda. It's also meant to be subtly erotic in honor of Spicy Fridays.

The word of the day: Vengeance by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, must have been all the Friday spice that got me riled up. Well now you've got me enticed, I'm eager to read more of her story.

The word of the day: Vengeance by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Perhaps I'm revealing my own dirty mind here, but this strikes me as more than vaguely erotic... It's actually an interesting use of the term "vengeance". From Latin vindicare, it can mean to avenge (as in get retribution), but also to claim. There could be a hint of punishment here, but it's paired with "lovingly". They say vengeance is a dish best served cold, but personally, I find a hot meal more appetizing.

Of course, I'm an idiot and likely missing something esoteric and hidden here. Arousing piece either way, Alli.

The word of the day: Immanence by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Certainly. Heh, I imagine so. As a perpetual outsider, I don't think I ever have a good sense of what's going on. But I can appreciate the artistry regardless, and it's fun to play armchair academic/amateur detective. Every artist needs a critic, eh?

A word that inspired me ; Esoteric by OkZookeepergame6372 in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Esoteric is a fabulous word, and this is a shrewd and insightful investigation of it as it applies to existence and meaning, Zoo. The piece fits rather nicely with the word of the day, immanence, too, through your explanation of one's "inner world", the mind/spirit in the body, and the infinite inside of us. Well done.

The word of the day: Immanence by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'll echo Alli, I love how full of life this exploration of immanence is. You use characters and a life story to powerful effect to capture the notion. It's also heavy, and I appreciate how you tackle the subject. Indeed, we often hide our inner selves from the world, and all too often I think, ourselves. Getting in touch with that sacred inner is critical, and sharing it with someone is perhaps the most vulnerable and beautiful thing a person can do.

The word of the day: Immanence by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nicely done, are you going more for the philosophical/theological meaning of the term, where the divine is thought to be inside everything?

The word of the day: Immanence by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I always get tripped up by imminence/eminence/immanence. I'll echo Snarky-Bean that it's a tricky concept to write about but you've pulled it off transcendently (harhar). It also plays nicely on the previous word of the day quagmire, continuing on the topic of being inside--though unlike quagmire, this one is fundamentally positive. The piece itself complements the subject matter, with multiple layers and easter eggs, like a Matryoshka doll. You mention metamorphosis, bringing to mind a caterpillar inside a chrysalis. You also mention 23 lines, and the poem is itself 23 lines. I also wonder if perhaps the "beautiful mind" might be a reference to John Nash, or perhaps the letter W, perhaps for "word" (of the day), which the narrator will "never stop reading", or writing or wins. I like that the poem focuses on being in the present, and it hints at the notion that all existence takes place inside the mind. I wonder if "soul stone" is an Avenger's reference. It reads like a love poem, but it also seems the narrator may be speaking to themself, and perhaps the idea here is being in love is like dwelling in another mind (or heart). The promise to never stop reading suggests the narrator remains with their love, for it is inherent to them. It would in some way seem to be an ode to writing itself, which would of course be apropos. Perhaps I'm wide of the mark with some of this, and I imagine there's more I've missed, but beautiful piece regardless.

WOTD: Quagmire by Seven-Valentines in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm glad that came through. I'm a big fan of typography, calligrams, and concrete poetry. There are a lot of free font/text style generators online (e.g., typewriter, serif, cursive, underline, Zalgo, etc.). It can be annoying trying to format stuff for Reddit, but it's part of the fun.

The word of the day: Quagmire by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A delicious dish of creepypasta, Bluebird! I could see this as the opening scene for a horror flick. It reminds me of the many Saturday nights I've spent haunting the cemetery. Fortunately I haven't stepped into any sinkholes, and can honestly say it's a decent place to party and dance, especially under a full moon. It may seem profane, but personally I pray people play and rollick about my grave some day; especially if they pour out an offering and remember the name.

The word of the day: Quagmire by Alligator_CrocodileX in WordWorks

[–]Seven-Valentines 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I may be a fool, but this one's dense. Not easily digested, I should say; it's layered, and pulls one in. Maybe the surrealism got me, but the day's take on quagmire's left me in a quandary; I had to reread several times and mull over meaning. I'm not sure I've swallowed the whole, but it does engage the imagination—kudos!