my dictionary, my friend

A few weeks ago, I had an acute experience of persecution for righteousness' sake.

Okay, so maybe that's a little extreme.

Somebody laughed at me for saying I had a "really cool dictionary."

Maybe it's highly unusual [remember, this is coming from someone who finds humor in the California Vehicle Code], but I love to read dictionaries.

This morning I was tutoring and hauled out our old Childcraft World Book dictionary (which is now so old you can't even find it on ebay) to look up some vocabulary words. It was like talking to a dear old friend you haven't seen in years. Boy, do I love that book. The words I learned in that book, the alphabetization I practiced.

I can't wait to introduce my own kids to it. Hence, this poem:

My Dictionary, My Friend

Your colorful pages

Span words from all ages --

From fools' mouths and sages'

Your treasures are told.

Your cover is fading

But, never abating,

Your value's eternal --

You're worth more than gold.

From syllabification

To pronunciation

You effect education

Ev'ry time you I hold.

And whene'er I am doubting

How to say words I'm spouting,

You, by ignorance routing,

Give me leave to be bold.

When my progeny teaching,

I will seek you, beseeching

Your wisdom far-reaching

Their new minds to mold.

© E. Younger 2006