dilettante

i opened up the big fat dictionary 

page 3-6-9

right between dilemma and diligence

in lowercase boldface i was defined

hot burning tears to my eyes

hot burning blood to my cheeks

a dizzy spell

burning pit of truth in my stomach

how did she 
capture me 

so well

she said, look it up in your Funk & Wagnalls

it sounded so lovely at the time

so french so charming so sophisticated

so destined for greatness

and so refined
 

i opened up the big fat dictionary

page 3-6-9

right between dilemma and diligence 

in lowercase boldface i was defined

i didn't like that dictionary

so i went to monsieur Roget

entry number 2-0-6-point-1-7

had more of what she meant to say:
 

dabbler trifler idler amateur

lightweight tinkerer 
dallier 
dunce

ignoramus middlebrow novice inferior

hydroplaner

dilettante

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©2005 nell balaban

all rights reserved

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