Language holds endless possibilities, and poetry is where its beauty truly shines. While the dictionary defines a word, the thesaurus lets it bloom, revealing its many facets through synonyms and shades of meaning. Inspired by the dictionary poem, I reimagined the concept with a thesaurus twist, exploring the lyrical potential of synonyms in what I term the thesaurus verse (inspired by the dictionary poem)!

This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links, that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Thank you for your support. Please see the full disclosure for more information. I only recommend products I definitely would (or have already) use myself

Poetic Sundays: The Thesaurus Verse™

Like I did a few years ago on the week of Thesaurus Day (Jan 18th), I wanted to bring a way to write poetry using the thesaurus. The last time I did so, I introduced you to the Teacup Dictionary. This time, I drew inspiration from Lohren Green’s Poetical Dictionary and came up with this one – Thesaurus Verse.

What is Thesaurus Verse™?

I named it so to keep the name self-explanatory. Simply put, thesaurus verse refers to poetry that uses the thesaurus as its creative inspiration. Rather than focusing on the dictionary definition of a word, the thesaurus verse explores its synonyms (and sometimes antonyms), playing with the myriad shades of meaning, emotional tones, and rhythmic qualities.

• A dictionary helps you understand a word.
• A thesaurus helps you find different ways to say the word.

A Thesaurus Verse’s Characteristics

So a thesaurus verse’s elements are that at its most basic, it is:

• a synonym explorer: The poem draws on a single word and its synonyms(also antonyms), presenting them in a lyrical or structured manner.
• titled: the thesaurus word is the title
• no other rules! can be stanzaic or not, syllabic or not, free verse or constrained by meter or other, or any which way you choose.

How to Write a Thesaurus Verse

1. Choose a Word: Select a word that resonates with you or inspires curiosity. And given the nature of the poem, ideally, a word with a rich synonym list. For example,
   • words like well-nigh, which was yesterday’s word on thesaurus.com
   • those like ephemeral (a word I find beautiful and also has many synonyms) or radiant
   • or words that have multiple or contrasting meanings, like cleave or run). You can check this post out for more such words.
2. Check the Thesaurus: Look up synonyms, related words, and phrases for your chosen word. Pay attention to nuances, imagery, emotional value, context, lyrical value, formal or informal.
3. Organize the Synonyms: Arrange them thematically, by tone, or in a sequence that feels natural(say strongest to weakest meaning) or rhythmic or rhyming.
4. Add Poetic Elements:
   • Use line breaks, repetition, or alliteration to create flow.
   • Incorporate metaphors or imagery to enhance meaning.
5. Experiment with Structure: Try cascading lines, storytelling, refrains, or dialogue styles to suit the mood of the word.
6. Refine the Poem: Edit for coherence, rhythm, and creativity. Keep the focus on showcasing the richness of the word and retaining the lyrical aspect of the writing.

Tips and Such

Here are some ideas on structure:

• Cascading Lines: Arrange the synonyms in a visual cascade. You could center it or make it appear like a waterfall or other pleasing visual.
• Refrains: Repeat a core phrase or the main word for emphasis. One way could be that the synonyms echo the core word like a chorus
• Storytelling: You can use the synonyms to tell a tale, or have the word narrate its story as a dialogue or internal monologue, as if the word itself is explaining its essence: a narrative that uses the synonyms to unfold meaning.
• Contrast: Juxtapose synonyms with antonyms to create tension and depth.

My Attempt at the Thesaurus Verse

I wrote it as an introduction statement Hope might make to someone, and of course, took some poetic liberties to come up with phrases that do signify it is hope. Hope you like this first attempt at this new poetry style.

Hope Whispers
I am
a light,
a glimmer,
a dream-reacher.
I shine through clouds,
light darkened paths,
perch on your shoulder,
to lend you my wings.
I wait, forever,
that stubborn flicker,
that’s always here,
That’s me, dear:
hope.
~ Vidya Tiru @ LadyInReadWrites

Recently

On My Blog

My recent posts since and including my last Sunday Scribblings:

• Look…. and then look more closely
• Minions of Motivation from Despicable Me and More
• Playing Along, Again: This Time With Wonderful Wordy Words
• Powerful Words of Inspiration for the Places You’ll Go
• Tiny Temptations: In Little Bites, Books, and More
• The Magic of Books, as always! And Memories Too
• Sunday Scribblings #208: Poetry Forms for Word Nerds (And a Few Wonderful Extras!)

And At Home

Been a quiet week at home after the Christmas break. And talking to my kids each day as I miss their presence at home, it is too quiet.

Upcoming

On My Blog and Home Front

Poetry and letter writing seem to be calling my name this week, and since hand writing a letter is on my list of 25 for 25 this year, I will be writing one this week. We will be celebrating two festivals this week – Thiruvadhirai and Pongal (both Tamil festivals, and ones that have special feasts that we love!)

This Week’s Celebrations

Literary Celebrations (close-to-it also)

• Literary birthdays this week: the 13th celebrates Carolyn See; January 14th is Kaifi Azmi; Ernest J. Gaines on the 15th; Susan Sontag and Rebecca Stead on January 16th; Jan 17th is Anne Brontë, Benjamin Franklin, Michelle Obama, and Javed Akhtar; the 18th of January is A.A. Milne; Edgar Allan Poe, Patricia Highsmith, Pat Mora, and Julian Barnes on the 19th of January
• A poetic event this week is Poetry Break Day on the 13th of January followed by
• Poetry at Work Day on the 14th (which is celebrated on the second Tuesday each January)
• The 17th is Popeye Day!
• January 18th is National Thesaurus Day and National Winnie The Pooh Day
• It is Universal Letter Writing Week this week.

Foodie Celebrations

• Jan 13th is National Peach Melba Day (have you had this dish? I don’t think I have but would love to!)
• Followed by National Undhiyu Day on the 14th (love this and do want to try to make it at home)
• It is National Strawberry Icecream Day on the 15th as well as National Bagel Day and National Fresh Squeezed Juice Day
• The 16th of January is International Hot and Spicy Food Day, National Fig Newton Day, and National Quinoa Day.
• Followed by National Hot Buttered Rum Day on the 17th of January
• Then January 18th is one for coffee lovers with National Gourmet Coffee Day
• While January 19th is National Popcorn Day and World Quark Day 

Other Celebrations

• The 13th is International Skeptics Day, and conversely, Make Your Dreams Come True Day! It is also Public Radio Broadcasting Day.
• January 14th is World Logic Day and International Kite Day as well as Ratification Day in the United States. It is also National Organize Your Home Day on the 14th.
• The 15th is National Hat Day and National Pothole Day too (one on your head and the other right below you!!). As well as Museum Selfie Day
• Followed by Appreciate a Dragon Day on the 16th…
• And if you want to do nothing, none of these celebrations, then there is a day for that! It is National Nothing Day on the 16th of January!!
• Then on January 17th, it is International Mentoring Day  and Kid Inventor’s Day.
• The 18th observes Get to Know Your Customers Day
• followed by Artist as Outlaw Day and Good Memory Day on the 19th.

Related Reads and More

• For the juicy day, here is a book for you: Juicing for Beginners: The Essential Guide to Juicing Recipes and Juicing for Weight Loss
• 10+ Books For Those Who Love Winnie-the-Pooh

Wrapping up my Sunday Scribblings

So dear reader, you have reached the end of this Sunday Scribblings! As always, I welcome your thoughts, comments, and suggestions about this post. Will you attempt to write the thesaurus verse?

And do let me know if you plan to celebrate any of these mentioned celebrations this coming week/month?

Linking this to the Sunday Post over at the Caffeinated Reviewer and the Sunday Salon