Words from the Wiser, poetry slams, grammar groans, Joanne Allen
By Chuck Wiser, I write the words to share what my eyes see and my heart feels
Warning! Silliness abounds as I start composing this week’s Wiser’s Wramblings early this week for no other reason than that I can’t wait to share a very interesting word, and plenty of Grammar Groans. I initially heard the first word that I will discuss as my wife did her daily shopping via QVC, and, as we listened to the sales pitch commentary.
What we both heard was a QVC host mentioning the word “Floracious,” as my wife remembered and “Florificent” as I recalled. Searching with my interpretation resulted in the negative AI opinion, based on my recollection, as “Based on the search results, “florificent” does not appear to be a standard, commonly defined word in English dictionaries. However, it is likely a creative, compound word derived from: Flor: Referring to flowers, floral, or the Latin root for flowers (as in floriferous or florist) and -ificent; Suggesting a quality of magnificence, beauty, or abundance (similar to magnificent).”
My wife’s recollection of the word usage was “Floracious.” The actual word that the host meant, and what we thought we heard, based on his describing a flower arrangement, was in fact, the word: “”Floriferous” (often misspelled or misheard as floracious) which means producing or bearing flowers, specifically in great abundance. It describes plants, gardens, or seasons characterized by heavy blooming, derived from the Latin flōrifer (“flower-bearing”)”.
I have often been told I that I am a “Blooming Idiot,” and at times that title is duly earned. At times as well, that title is agreed upon by my wife. No one knows better than her, so I yield to her humble opinion.
Starting this paragraph with another previous discussion of the ”F” sound of “ph” letters or words, even the word “paragraph” had that sound. Compounding my phixation on the “ph” sound, my continued research revealed that the prefix letters “PH” were likely outnumbered by those with the suffix GH sound. In my attempt to find a reasonable explanation, many of the words in our current language were derived from the Greek influence. That brought to mind the phrase that something is “like Greek to me.”
The latest grammar groping resulted in a paragraph noting that; After the Vowel (/f/ sound): In words like cough, tough, rough, enough, trough, the ough combination makes an /f/ sound that follows the vowel sound. The poor letter “F,” is also used as a suffix (end letters) of words shown above. I have now turned my “Grammar Gaze” toward a combination of letters that not only have the prefix “f” sound and the suffix “f” sound.
I amaze myself sometimes. As I tried to come up with the appropriate question regarding my search for a word beginning and ending with the “f” sound, the word “phonograph,” came into my head. I guess by all rights it should be “spelt” fonograf.
And some people think only the “F Word” is offensive.
As I started this, I glanced out the window and noticed some April snow Phlurries. Just as exciting I presume, is/are my efforts to rebuild one of our Sunflower seed bird feeders.
I need to have it ready for the annual spring arrival of the Evening Grosbeaks, and the Baltimore Orioles which arrival as mapped and, in reality, is not due for a few days yet. The males normally are the first to arrive to ready a nest for the females, which will hatch their annual brood soon after their arrival.
Pictured here are the Poetry reading contestants having read and been judged at the David A. Howe Library last night. As April is National Poetry Month, the Library celebrated its 4th annual 2026 Poetry Slam contest. This event formerly was held, coordinated primarily due to the work and efforts of JoAnne Allen, truly a patroness of the arts, especially as far as poetry is concerned. When the library took primary control of the event a few years ago the event sequence started and it was noted with the numerical notation #1. This year it was advertised and held as the 4th Annual Poetry Slam. Each reading contestant and visitors were given a voting list “ballot” featuring the individual readers with the title of their poem noted. The voters designated their 1st, 2nd and 3rd place readers. The 1st through 3rd contestant winners will receive a monetary award. The names of the winners will be posted after the final tally is completed and sent to me.
I have not noted the contestants’ names yet, as the voting results are still being tabulated. I received the blessing of all contestants to share their picture, and I may share the contestant winners and the rest of the group’s names, not necessarily in order though so as to offer a little less public notification and personal information. The turn-out this year was a little lighter than normal and that might have been due to the timing of the event and performances.
We are blessed to have so many fine “poetry” authors in our area. As a note of interest, at least to me, is the difference in structure of a poem.
My format preference is to have subsequent line ending words Rhyming with “sound alike” words in the sequencing used for poems. Although that is my recollection of poetry, it is not necessarily that of, or for, all poets or poems.
Poem structure refers to the physical arrangement of words, lines, and stanzas (e.g., couplets, quatrains, or sonnets) to create rhythm, rhyme, and meaning. Common structures may include;
“Fixed forms like the 14-line Sonnet or 3-line Haiku, as well as freer structures like Blank Verse (metered but unrhymed) or Free Verse.
Popular Poetic Forms:
- Sonnet: A 14-line poem often about love, following a specific rhyme scheme.
- Haiku: A Japanese form consisting of three lines with a 5, 7, 5 syllable structure.
- Limerick: A humorous five-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme.
- Free Verse: Poetry that does not follow strict meter or rhyme rules
I NOW interrupt this Wrambling to announce that our first male Grosbeak just arrived at one of the feeders just “hung” yesterday.
I now continue with an update of my broken hand 4th metacarpal bone and progress. Healing has gone well and despite some lingering swelling, the bone has “nearly” completely healed. Jason Szabo, an orthopedic Physician’s Assistant at Jones Memorial Hospital showed me the X-Ray taken just minutes before meeting with him. There was one very small section of less than complete bone structure regrowth, but he advised that the bone would replenish itself over time. I hadn’t known Jason personally until this, but I have a link to his maternal branch of the family going back into my youthful years of the 50’s and 60’s where lifetime friends of my mothers, living in the Steamburg and Frewsburg, NY area had resided.
My Grammar Groan, which is a literal terminology today, is of the word retired. I retired in January of 2008 after teaching at Alfred State College for 24 years. I am now “re-tired” as many tiring days are wre-peated these days. I often look forward to the “chores” and love its flexibility though. I enjoy the ability to set my own agenda and schedule. I guess I should modify and restate that a little. MY intended agenda and schedule is subject to the review and approval of my now, only, Boss. Spousal authority is often ceded to a more highly ranked individual that co-exists, and “rules the roost,” at the Wiser Wranch.
One blessing that I do have and for which many thanks to Facebook. I am currently “friended” with, and by, former students. I get a glimpse into their lives, their family status, and development with many successes as they often mention that evolution in their lives. I have often stated that I don’t miss the trek to Alfred every day but certainly do miss the “academic sharing,” and the presence of the students every day. Would I go back to teaching? YES! Gratefully I often do experience an occasional dream involving one, or more of them. I’m giving thought to; One of these days or weeks highlighting some student with whom I still have an active relationship.
I will leave you now with a poem that I wrote honoring our local “patroness of the arts” JoAnne Allen. May she rest in peace and know that she was mentioned last night and is still in the hearts of many still upon the grassy side of this earth. We are grateful for her efforts and love of the arts.
As usual, if you have any comments, questions or concerns email me at IM.Wiserdad@gmail.com
