7 Words and Their Origins, Vol 1. The Sea

7 Words and Their Origins, Vol 1. The Sea

1) Ocean Origin: From Latin ōceanus, via Greek ōkeanos, meaning “a vast or large body of water.”

2)Island Origin: From Old English īegland, meaning “island.” The s was added in the 16th century under the influence of isle (which previously lacked an s), and then carried over to island.

3)Tide Origin: From Old English tīd, meaning “time, season, or period,” etymologically related to “time.”

4)Drown Origin: From Old English druncnian, meaning “to sink or be submerged in water.” Shares its root with drunk.

5)Azure Origin: From Old French azur, from Arabic lazaward, meaning “lapis lazuli” (a blue stone).

6)Shark Origin: Borrowed into English between the 14th and 16th centuries from German Schurke, meaning “villain.”

7)Profound Origin: From Latin profundus, meaning “deep” or “bottomless.”

The Child

The Child

            My courage is mine, and mine alone.

Its pulse and breath, weighed by stone.

A rose, a cross, a heart bled bare,

Enclose the infant and rightful heir.

 

These eyes that paint my world around,

And the sounds in which my name is bound,

Come from an ocean vast unknown,

But they are mine and mine alone.

 

My darkness too is within my breast,

And has etched designs without rest.

Groping, clawing onto my veins,

Its sorrow speaks in twisted chains.

 

But deep within my bloody streams,

Swims the child of ancient dreams.

Whose flaming voice chars the bone,

And claims this life as mine alone.