(A proofreader's note regarding “appraise” and “apprise”)

Two verbs that “diff” by single vowel
“Apprise” and sibling are;
The “a” that makes “appraise” more senior
Adds age and wisdom far.

By virtue of this dispensation,
It aims to scrutinize;
And thus “appraise” involves assessment,
Achieved by critical eyes.

“Appraise” may therefore be praising or razing,
Depending on its end.
“Apprise,” instead, is mostly a telling,
Though gain-in-value friend.

​

(A proofreader's note on “blatant” and “flagrant”)

The “flagrant” and “blatant” will never be fragrant
But full of offensiveness both,
With “blatant” hinting this certain distinction,
“Served open like unto an oath.”

In terms of a scale of their badness or wrongness,
The “flagrant” is thought of as worse;
But given the outcome as clearly obtrusive,
Then “blatant” is rightly the curse.

Since that which is “blatant” is done in the open
Without the shame that's due,
The word emphasizes “offensively conspicuous”
And failure also to rue.

Thus, closely akin to “blatant” is “brazen,”
Which poses unashamed,
For “brazen” is rude with a boldness exceptional,
At level for it to be famed.

​

(A proofreader's note regarding “leach” and “leech")

The little leech on Lisa latched
So firmly was attached
That remedies both dire and rash
Were serious options hashed.

If only she were granular
And rightly soluble,
Then she and leech could separate
By leaching possible.

Not being a sacrificial leech,
Yet leech-like with aplomb,
The worm has offered no response,
Advantage-taking some.

Advantage-taking discomforts
May carry itches each,
Thus causing cries of “eeeh” to be,
And pointing then to “leech.”

​Habitually sponging on a chum
Defines for us this leech;
It need not be an actual worm
But simply fill the niche.


​

(A proofreader's note to illustrate “eminence” and “imminence”)

From “standing out” comes “eminent,”
“Important,” “famous” then to mean,
While “imminent” from “overhang”
Will “happening soon” a warning keen.

"'Twas from a minor eminence
His Eminence the Bishop spoke;
And now that eminence is known,
More famous than its simple folk.

"The lack of true preeminence
Throughout the years did bother some,
While others claimed it immanent,
Predicting insight yet to come.

"A reckoning is imminent,
Desired by those most skeptical;
Will it provide immense disproof
Or just enough to render null?"

A looming status qualifies
And clear defines this imminence,
Its likely outcome negative
And bearing inconvenience.

​

The word “rather” is common in everyday situations, having several meanings and applications that native English speakers take for granted. In writing, however, using “rather” causes some concern because of uncertainty regarding the placement of associated commas.

​The main thing to remember is that “rather” almost never takes a comma, but when it does, the comma is most often one of a pair that serves to set something apart and make it nonessential (hence, parenthetical) to the core meaning of the sentence. Finding “rather” attached to a single comma is rather rare.  

When rather's not essential,
Two commas separate it,
And comma unilateral
Is never there permitted.

It's parenthetically
Diverting us with data
That's not required really,
A smoothish operator.

“One doesn't wish to linger
But, rather, keep on going;
The time to rest is yonder
When past the area daring.”

A single comma seldom
With safety is abounding,
And “rather” feels more winsome 
With commas—two—attending.

So, “rather,” almost certain,
Eschews a single comma,
Unless conjunctive curtain
It hangs before the comma.

In being conjunctive adverb, 
Connective function serving,
It joins two parts that contrast
Across a stop or such thing;

A semicolon often,
The bridge for many takers,
To “rather” then will shunt them,
Suggesting comma spacer.

“Let's not hold on to doubting
Forever; rather, let us 
Advance with faith, asserting
That grace removes all onus.”

But when a simple adverb,
With meaning only “fairly,”
Or when it tells of preference,
Degree, or if exactly,

Or “rather than“ in complex
(With words between or after),
No comma leads and ushers
That “rather” in its barter.

“I'd rather peel an apple
Than juice a yellow lemon;
Get flavor rather subtle,
Not rather tempt a demon.”

​

​The field was full of tasty treats
Before that creature came
And packed a cheek with snacks to keep
Its “pocket gopher” name.

Arose then gopher cones of dirt
From tunnel rooms unseen,
As kingdom spaces underground 
Were swept to keep them clean.

Inviting though the prospect was
To venture down below,
My canine snout would barely fit,
Much less my body go.

A bigger hole came into mind,
With thoughts of digging through,
But Lordly care did make it fair
Destruction to eschew.

—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)