wondermonger–I thought I made up this word, but Collins dictionary defines it as: a person who tells of or works wonders. Merriam Webster defines it as: a person who tells of or exploits strange or freakish things, but I don’t like that definition.
Susan’s definition of wondermonger
Neither of those definitions is what I was thinking of. “Monger” is a suffix defined as:
denoting a dealer or trader in a specified commodity.“fishmonger”
a person who promotes a specified activity, situation, or feeling, especially one that is undesirable or discreditable.“warmonger”So just as other negative words have been reclaimed and used to empower people, I’m reclaiming “monger” and becoming a person who promotes wonder. Care to join me?
It’s Poetry Friday–and this post was inspired by–
Carol Varsalona told me about being a wonderologist and Wonderopolis in response to my post on Wonder. (She’s also practically a neighbor now that I’m a Coloradoan)
This week, Poetry Friday is sponsored by Jama at her lovely blog, Jama’s Alphabet Soup. Thanks!
I’ve had a busy and tiring week, so just a little haiku from me today:
Wondermongering
during springtime wanderings
clouds beneath my feet.
And here’s another poem entitled “Wonder.” I learned a lovely melody for it in teacher training, but couldn’t find a recording of it.
Wonder
How to spread wonder?
Now that I’ve decided to be a wondermonger, I need to figure out how to do it. Remembering to be open to the wonders around me is a good start. And being proud of it, too. In a way, maintaining a sense of wonder is to nurture the child within, to embrace a sort of innocence and openness to life–while still being a grown-up in some ways.
Well, those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
Tabatha says
Promoting wonder sounds good to me. I like “clouds beneath my feet” — lovely!
Susan says
Thanks–I do love that line, too.
jama says
A resounding YES to promoting wonder! Thanks for the haiku and Traherne’s poem. ‘Tis the season to marvel at the gifts offered by Mother Nature. Happy May!
Susan says
Happy May to you, too!
Kay Jernigan McGriff says
I love the idea of being a wondermonger–I’d love to join you. I see wondermongers as noticing the wonders around us and sharing with others.
Susan says
Let’s do it!