Tolendaiser
The state of hesitation
when a gift from one’s parent
requires gratitude
but inspires a sense
of abandonment,
of not being seen;
a childhood wound.
Marchibarolan
The distance between
two lovers in bed
while attempting to sleep.
Xiltatation
A sense of urgency
after the realization
of a scheduling error,
when one must rush
from a styling appointment
to the funeral of a loved one.
Padronomonisg
A person who avows
materialist atheism
yet consults the horoscope
with surreptitious fervor.
Linagronaztic
Unfurling the bedsheets to discover
a long-lost sock, the mate of which
has been since cast into the garbage,
or made into a dust rag.
Hudriplomisml
The startling revelation
that one’s ancestors
were of an unexpected race,
and the onset of clarity
of long-held confusions.
Riquewrinaldol
A quality of revulsion,
with inexplicable spite.
Makwuentheka
An archaic magical practice,
in which the remains of old computers
are cast to divine the contents
of desiccated hard drives.
Sistelnakroth
A persistent, unwelcome spirit
who invites itself to parties,
weddings, births, and offers
inarticulate predictions of catastrophe
for persons unknown.
Warmuzlenaig
The name for a wild animal,
tamed to become a household pet,
who dreams of shredding
the throats of its owners.
Zoplexionaklip
The shock of recognizing
that one has sent
incriminating text messages
to the worst possible recipient.
Flizakorflam
A toxic play substance
given to children
who irritate their parents.
Aericothanko
A sexual position
wherein two or more lovers
contemplate orgasm
while separated by a body
of water, such as the ocean.
Cthaxorphilae
The love of, or affection for,
pseudoscientific claims
posited with inassailable authority
by those puporting to be
religious filmmakers.
