30 Poems in 30 Days: A New Word (12/30)

Posted by Daniel Stout on Tue 12 Jun 2007 at 7:15 AM

12 June 2007

A New Word
by Daniel R Stout

Lexicographers are debating
whether it pays
to print dictionaries.
Needed perhaps in schools
and libraries
but the dictionary
is the perfect case
for database retrieval.
Plug in a word
and receive a definition.
Simple it seems.
But what they’re missing
is the ability to browse.
Paging through the annals
of language
is a delight.
Finding a new word
a happy event.
But what will happen
to vocabulary
when the dictionary
only talks when asked.
The lexicographers
need to find
new ways to browse
these electronic tomes
so children can revel
in the richness
of the lexicon.

Tags: 30 poems in 30 days · dictionaries · poem · poetry · words

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