The Poetry Sisters challenge this week is a favorite form of mine created by my fellow Inkling Heidi Mordhorst, the definito. The definito is a poem of 8-12 lines for children that defines a word. The word being explained is the last word of the poem.
I subscribe to Merriam-Webster’s word of the day. I love learning new words and this one was not only new to me, but it was a mouth full of p’s to say.
Some perspective on perspicacious: the word combines the Latin perspicac- (from perspicax meaning “clear-sighted,” which in turn comes from perspicere, “to see through”) with the common English adjective suffix -ious. The result is a somewhat uncommon word used to describe someone (such as a reader or observer) or something (such as an essay or analysis) displaying the perception and understanding of subtleties others tend to miss.
Last weekend I spent some time with my 3 year old (almost 4 year old) grandson. I am constantly amazed at his ability to observe his world and notice things that most of us just take for granted. I love seeing things in a fresh way when I am with him. I’m not sure I have a full grip on the word perspicacious, but working on this poem made me happy to capture the awe of a toddler.
Perspicacious Definito
At some point we lose perception, perspective clouded, but you, my child can see the train track, and notice up and down, lower, higher, your place in space. When you spin, you laugh, feeling dizzy. Under the influence of gravity you understand what you don’t understand…playful perspicacity.
How much do I love that we both mined Merriam-Webster and we both were snagged by perspicacious!! You captured the meaning perfectly! What a joy that you get to see the world through a toddler’s eyes.
I love what Leo brings to your life and poetry, Margaret. Adorable pic! That word (which I’m not even going to try to spell) is a mouthful, isn’t it? xo
As the grandmother to two toddlers, I can relate to Leo’s perspicacious view of the world. You captured the word perfectly in Leo’s joy of learning to understand his “place in space.” Thanks for sharing!
I decided AGAINST doing this very word because I was afraid I didn’t have a handle on it — but here you are, in a nutshell, perspicacious = Leo. Beautiful.
Margaret, this poem is a mouthful but a delicious one that examines Leo’s zest and his understanding of what he does not understand. The last two words of your poem are just right coupled with Leo’s charming smile. I will be signing in late tonight because my husband is now home doing well from his hip replacement surgery. The little girls are coming to visit grandpa. Toddler awesomeness is a gift from heaven!
Margaret,
I love this word so much as it describes a grandchild so perfectly. I, too, subscribe to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and so love collecting good words. As always, your post is an inspiration and makes me want to pull my notebook out and try what you’re doing. Thank you so much for sharing your poems.
Shari
What a sweetheart Leo is in this photo! I think you have perfectly captured your new word in and “the awe of” Leo in your poem! Beautiful! I love your word play and “your place in space.” I love when you show photos of your grandchildren and share your joy of them in writing. Thank you for inspiration.
Oh, that Leo is so cute! How fun it must be to be his Grandmere. And, how special that you get to capture special shared moments in poetry. What a treasure for Leo to be able to read this blog post — many years from now and know that he has been collaborating with you his whole life…a bit of perspicacious right there, I’d say!
This photo is everything I love about the littles–the fresh, cheeky, knowing curiosity overflowing from their entire bodies–and the dizzy perspicacity too! Wonderful.
Perspicacious is a perfect word to describe childhood curiosity. Your word choices here (notice, perspective, perception) all add layers to the definition. It’s lovely.
Hard to believe Leo is nearly four! What a joy it must be to spend the hours with him, Margaret. I love your ‘train track’ reference and that idea of a toddler’s ‘new-to-us’ understandings. Hopefully, we’ll learn some things we have forgotten!
I live on the Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. I love teaching, poetry, my dog Charlie, my three daughters, and dancing with my husband. This space is where I capture my thoughts, share my insights, and make connections with the world. Welcome! Walk in kindness.
Reflections on the Teche 
How much do I love that we both mined Merriam-Webster and we both were snagged by perspicacious!! You captured the meaning perfectly! What a joy that you get to see the world through a toddler’s eyes.
I love what Leo brings to your life and poetry, Margaret. Adorable pic! That word (which I’m not even going to try to spell) is a mouthful, isn’t it? xo
As the grandmother to two toddlers, I can relate to Leo’s perspicacious view of the world. You captured the word perfectly in Leo’s joy of learning to understand his “place in space.” Thanks for sharing!
Oh Margaret, I think you are right…children are naturally perspicacious. What a joy to share space with wise Leo!
I decided AGAINST doing this very word because I was afraid I didn’t have a handle on it — but here you are, in a nutshell, perspicacious = Leo. Beautiful.
Margaret, this poem is a mouthful but a delicious one that examines Leo’s zest and his understanding of what he does not understand. The last two words of your poem are just right coupled with Leo’s charming smile. I will be signing in late tonight because my husband is now home doing well from his hip replacement surgery. The little girls are coming to visit grandpa. Toddler awesomeness is a gift from heaven!
Margaret,
I love this word so much as it describes a grandchild so perfectly. I, too, subscribe to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary and so love collecting good words. As always, your post is an inspiration and makes me want to pull my notebook out and try what you’re doing. Thank you so much for sharing your poems.
Shari
What a sweetheart Leo is in this photo! I think you have perfectly captured your new word in and “the awe of” Leo in your poem! Beautiful! I love your word play and “your place in space.” I love when you show photos of your grandchildren and share your joy of them in writing. Thank you for inspiration.
Oh, that Leo is so cute! How fun it must be to be his Grandmere. And, how special that you get to capture special shared moments in poetry. What a treasure for Leo to be able to read this blog post — many years from now and know that he has been collaborating with you his whole life…a bit of perspicacious right there, I’d say!
This photo is everything I love about the littles–the fresh, cheeky, knowing curiosity overflowing from their entire bodies–and the dizzy perspicacity too! Wonderful.
Perspicacious is a perfect word to describe childhood curiosity. Your word choices here (notice, perspective, perception) all add layers to the definition. It’s lovely.
Hard to believe Leo is nearly four! What a joy it must be to spend the hours with him, Margaret. I love your ‘train track’ reference and that idea of a toddler’s ‘new-to-us’ understandings. Hopefully, we’ll learn some things we have forgotten!
Having an unexpected perceptiveness — something children in your life exhibit often! Great word! Love the joy in the photo.
Aw—he looks both wise and playful in your photo, and your definito is a lovely ode. ❤
Wonderful capture of perspicacity closing your poem Margaret, and I love your pic and filling us in on the words roots too, thanks!