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    ORDINANCE/ORDNANCE

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    (A proofreader's note about “ordinance” and “ordnance”)

    With “put in order” at its base, 
    Word “ordinance” arose:
    Decree or practice, law, or fate,
    Provisions for martial blows.

    The regimented life of troops,
    All ready and precise,
    Would clip the word and “ordnance” make,
    Thus cut and trim to rights.

    The taller word here “ordinance”
    Produced the shorter child.
    Decreed it was through natural speech,
    The “i” let go as wild.

    Hence “ordnance” from “ordinance”
    For military tools was birthed;
    In vivo not in vitro made,
    With “in” a clue unearthed.

    “By ordinance, each village trained
    With ordnance on hand.
    The natives claimed it preordained,
    From gods an order grand.”

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    FORBIDDING/FORBIDDEN

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    (A proofreader's note about “forbidding” and “forbidden”)

    “Forbidding” and “forbidden” share a parent in “forbid,”
    From whom they take the notion of commanding as they go;
    “Forbid” will mean to hinder or to order strong against,
    Command delivered actually or as the end would show.
     
    Synonymous with “outlaw” and “prohibit” and “enjoin”
    And likewise unto “interdict” or “block” or “ban” to boot,
    “Forbid” can take the meaning of such orders in effect,
    Its taller children given thus  more senses at their root.

    So think then of “forbidding” as just “tending to forbid,”
    Inclusive though of “menacing” and “threatening” and “grim.”
    “Forbidden,” the descriptor of the object of “forbid,”
    Identifies the item there commanded as too dim.

    “Free climbing on the tower was forbidden by the school,
    But Alex and his pals believed surmounting would be cool.
    The route was not forbidding but the goal an envied jewel
    Since 'master the forbidden' was for them a special rule.”

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    RELAY/RELATE

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “relay” and “relate”)

    Like “relay,” the race, all “relays” transfer;
    From one to another a signal they send;
    For even the hounds in exchange and refresh--
    A getting and passing-on ever they lend.

    When speaking of “relay” we sometimes intend
    The laying of items like emphasis placed
    On syllables favored in words like “relay”
    That otherwise leave us all flustered and crazed.

    With emphasis second, this latter is verb,
    Though sometimes the same will its strength put on first.
    To “receive and then pass along” core to its act,
    “Relay” adds precision; “relate” does it nurse.
     
    “Relate” is a telling, no transfer implied,
    Without a relationship tied to its hide.
    But with understanding, connection twixt two,
    “Relate” is then given more meanings to ride.

    “To relay the pavers, her spouse made a date,
    Accepting that 're-lie' no stones would obey.
    Their fate she would guess and their story relate
    While waiting for word from her mate to relay.”

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    ILLUSION/ALLUSION

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “illusion” and “allusion”)

    Creating a thing illusory
    Domain of “illusion” is;
    Illusion serves deception
    To senses or mind with ease.

    It often will trick one's vision,
    Misleading through the eyes;
    Sometimes belief is target,
    Beset by subtle lies.

    A known and actual reference
    At heart of “allusion” lies;
    “Allusion” merely hints, though;
    From pointing direct it shies.

    Involving “alluding to something,”
    “Allusion” is “playful” at root;
    Unlike “illusion,” however,
    Deception will never it suit.

     The “i” of illusion may grant us
    A way for the memory to soar;
    Illusions most often will revel
    With eyes to misguide at the fore.

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    TROOPER/TROUPER

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “trooper” and “trouper”)

    A trooper or trouper derives from a unit
    Defined as a troop or a troupe;
    The latter performers, alike formal soldiers,
    Are led by a drive to not droop.

    The term “a real trouper” came first within trouping, 
    “Reliable as actor” its fact.
    But when in the contexts of army, policing,
    It's “real trooper” we favor for tact.

    More often we see that not courage and bravery
    In physical conflict is meant,
    But “steady, resilient in times that are trying,”
    With “real trouper” then the intent.

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    CONSOLE/CONDOLE

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “console” and “condole”)

    “Console” stands in contrast to “console” its mirror
    Because of mere syllable blest.
    The difference in meaning defeats an alliance
    Along with their sounds when addressed.

    “Console” with “condole” is enamored and blissful, 
    The spelling a feature ignored.
    “Condole with” expresses compassion in suffering;
    “Console,” to bring comfort aboard.

    Since “d” will forever our “s” be preceding,
    “Condole before moving to console.”
    Condole with your friend when misfortune arises,
    Console to help lift and make whole.

    “The shiny new console was scant consolation
    For tonsils inflamed and enraged.
    His friends on the phone while sincerely condoling
    Had yet to console him where caged.”