The Words Of Spring

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."  ~Charles Dickens

The above quote is almost poetry.  It has the free verse of prose, with the briefness and clarity of poetry.  We read this and we know just what type of day Mr. Dickens is speaking about.  Perhaps it is the day you go to see the cherry blossoms on the Washington Mall, or the day you go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade, but especially if you live in the great northeastern states of the US, you will appreciate this description and shake your head in recognition.  Many a spring time in NYC gave me the same thrill of warmth and bitter cool wind.
Here's another:

"April hath put a spirit of youth in everything."  ~William Shakespeare

There is a certain satisfaction in looking at a young, pink blossomed tree in spring.  It is the time of lambs and calves, chicks and bunnies.  Youth abounds and as Shakespear says, it shines forth in everything. 
In these few words, both of these authors have delivered a world of sensory information to our brains.  It is warm, it is hot.  It is sunny, it is shady.  We are enraptured in a world of youth; the mental images are luscious, raising more than word recognition, they produce mental images; pictures in our minds that associate with experiences we have had.  I think of many spring days I spent in Central Park when I lived in NYC. 

A good writer tells us stories and we are glad to have them, for stories enrich our lives with imagination.   A great writer tells us stories and shows us a movie in our heads.  They captivate us from the first reel, all the way through to the last scene.

Always remember your word pictures and paint with them.  The end product will be much more pleasant to your readers.

WORDS TO PAINT WITH:
Prestidigitation - noun - Nimble, quick, sleight of hand
As a magician, Harry Potter is accomplished at prestidigitation.
Eccumenical  - adj. - Worldwide of or having to do with a whole body of churches.
The Eccumenical council provided the guidelines our church would follow.

Timpani - noun - A set of two or more drums played by a drummer in a concert.
The timpani kept a wondrous beat at the concert.

NEW WORDS TO PAINT WITH:

Promissory - Despicable - Unrelenting