Of Nature or Disposition

Recently, Ceir had a writing assignment, which involved choosing a word from Oxford English Dictionary and writing a poem consisting only of words and phrases from the presented listing of definitions.

At first, I thought it would just be a patchwork poem, and during our brainstorming I tried to find words that had a myriad of definitions–like the word "set", which you can see here contains more definitions than you can shake a stick at.

However, OED also contains numerous examples of usage–which means in addition to the standard list of definitions, you have a plethora of verbiage to choose from.  I was struck by her completed work, which braided numerous phrases together wonderfully into a consistent whole–without the result being piecemeal, as I had originally feared. 

That’s her poem to share if she wishes, of course, but during our discourse she encouraged me to give it a shot as well.  I was intrigued by the challenge, and ended up having such an exciting time writing it that I may wind up doing more at some point when I am less busy. 

Since I consider it one of my more inventive works, I felt I would share it here.  Everything that follows, therefore, is from the entry for a certain word (which you should easily be able to pick out).  And yes, I was tickled that I could incorporate the word "Still", one of my favorite narrative crutches, and actually have it be apropos.

Enjoy.

Of Nature or Disposition

The darkened house, the quieted movements.
The dust was very ancient
peaceful, quiet
dust
until about an hour ago.

I prize the soul that slumbers in a quiet eye,
an eye made quiet by the power of harmony
free from excess
not going to extremes;
moderate, gentle;
not obtrusive, glaring, or showy.

Still;
now you shall have a
quiet breath
and gale, and
suddenly
an unexpected violent gust.

The other day he let me into a little secret.
She was a quiet-tempered lady,
a huntress born, sure-eyed, and quiet-smiling;
He was a slow, quiet-spoken…fellow

Habitually or naturally peaceful
or averse to making stir, noise, etc.
I can..impress the quiet-seeming sentiment:
Such letters as yours, Sir,
first thing in the morning and last thing at night
partaken of, or enjoyed
do not disturb
my quiet.

I could well be content
while all things were in quiet silence
those charms accepted of my inmost thought
displaying little fluctuation

In respect of the mind
knowledge and genius are often
enemies to quiet
by suggesting ideas of excellence–
avoiding or escaping notice;
private
secret

I’ll go out on the verandah for a quiet smoke,
acquit (oneself of another),
then off to the hills in filthy tweeds
a period of time
spent in seclusion for the purposes
of prayer
meditation, etc.
sheltered from the wind.

An easy job at sea or ashore
<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 102);”>(characterized by the absence of all strife)
to reduce to quietness
a disturbance, dissension,
a feeling or emotion, esp. of fear,
a person or people, a material thing.

I did what was possible to quiet her, but to no purpose
refraining from disturbance, hurry, exertion.
still,
the motion..quiets the restless palpitation of the heart
in specific senses–
to be quieted in the possession they have had for so many years
to settle or establish in quiet;
clear,
absence of disturbance or tumult;
peaceful condition of affairs.

Not moving or acting;
On the quiet I think she makes the decisions
By and by she quieted, and,
from pure exhaustion,
fell asleep.