We climb a ladder of light
To destiny unseen;
But every rung we clear
Outshines where last we've been.

The miracle of our eyes
In scope of vision pales
Against the vistas wide
Where soul enlightened sails.

A pinnacle awaits
The ones with eyes that see
Beyond appearances
To true reality.

​

Think of the layers surrounding the brain,
Spacing the bone from precious gray matter;
Serving as cushion, remembered as “pad”;
Pia, arachnoid—as well—dura mater.

Taken for granted these tissues though dear
Until a trauma shakes brain within skull.
Maybe instead inflammation occurs,
Causing neck stiffness and making one dull.

Fever and headache, confusion and more,
Many the symptoms of sad meningitis.
Give, then, some thought to meninges that range
Tip-top to tail in both presence and service.

Whether the fluid of spinal cord bath
Or natural floating of cord in canal,
Functions we see of these layers so meek
Tell of creator and wisdom past all.

​

Ultra-processed foods deceive
The hurried mouths they feed.
Packets filled with taste appeal
Yet void of worth, indeed.

Wholesome foods we tend to think
Are palate pleasing all.
Calories more flavor dense
Have power to enthrall.

Various compounds added, though, 
While stretching life on shelf,
Lack the inclination to
Preserve the life of self.

​

Pride may go before destruction,
A haughty spirit before a fall;
But at the ripe old age of eighty,
A bit of pride may come to all.

Having got so far, the aged,
They feel a certain license due.
Previous if a bit contrary,
No rules for them now writ and true.

Watch out world, I come a barreling,
Just clear the way and let me through.
Dues for years were paid already,
I've earned the right to not see you.

Literal then the fall awaiting;
As frailty rises… attention wanes.
Social state may hardly matter,
But breaking hip much danger gains.

Risk of death is much, much higher, 
And housing needs wreak major change.
Outlook then is bleak and scary,
That haughty spirit not in range.

​

Surprising cacophony may often occur
To tell on actions nether, covert;
With popping and creaking and swishing and more,
It squeals a tale—when privacy preferred.

Expressive the telling with “oohs” and “aahs,”
Dramatic pauses, then flurry of sounds.
Some groans to protest, moans to cry,
And exclamations matched to frowns.

At thirty-feet intestines long,
The muscular gut has massive work.
With gassy hazards in the  mix,
The laborers think they're owed a perk!

Embarrassing, though, and fearsome oft,
No cause for alarm is usually meant.
Most noisy cases are healthy speech
Unless delivered with other event,

Like nausea, vomiting, bloody stools,
Excessive gas, abdominal pain,
Diarrhea, fever, heartburn, cramps…
Borborygmi else are safe and sane.

​

The patient who enters clinic referred
A certain status deserves.
With proof of ailment pre-confirmed, 
Frivolity none observes.

Referral, though, may not involve
Professional contact made.
The first practitioner, wise and quick,
Oft has no office staid.

Take heed the pain that rears its head
Despite no injury known;
It means, no doubt, you've been referred
From self-referral zone.

A pain left arm or of the teeth
May tell of heart attack,
And shoulder pain there on the right,
Gallbladder on the rack.

“Referred pain” is its name and badge,
A hint to not be lax.
Consult physician, be not shy,
Referred without a tax!

​

The word “even” is most commonly used as an adverb even though it may assume the role of at least three other parts of speech: noun, adjective, subordinating conjunction. For example, in the preceding sentence, it is serving in combination with “though” as a subordinating conjunction,  which, by definition, introduces the dependent clause that follows. Writers sometimes wonder whether a preceding comma is required in such situations.
 
The general rule regarding commas with subordinating conjunctions applies here for “even though” and similar combinations, i.e., apart from a couple special cases, a comma is only required when the dependent clause is shifted to the beginning of the sentence.

While most other uses of “even” do not call for a comma, this punctuation is also required when “even” introduces an interrupting phrase that can be removed without altering the meaning of the sentence or is there only to emphasize the surprising nature of something. 

Another notable situation where a comma is mandatory occurs when “even” introduces a participial phrase at the end of a sentence; a participial phrase that ends a sentence is always preceded by a comma.


We think of “even” as “balanced” or “flat”
Or meaning “exactly,” “fully,” or “just”;
Of variation claiming slight;
Surprising states yet emphasized.

As adjective, adverb, noun or verb,
It ranges broadly, role and site;
A speedy tour in orbit grand
Leaves little pause for comma's plight.

But interrupting phrases all,
Participial ones at endings, too,
Are comma's friend when “even”-strung
Like clause dependent firstly grew.

“Thus, even though it's moonlit bright, 
The forest trail seems grave tonight.”
“The bus today was later, even
Forcing them to bum a ride.”

“And once arrived there, even late, 
They walked with pride and smirking smiles.”
Thus illustrated, queue reversed,
Are three of “even” for the files.

​

While “ability” refers to actual and existing skill or aptitude that may be either innate or acquired, “capacity” in the context of skill relates to the innate characteristic of being able to develop something. “Capability” is similar, but it can be acquired. The word has a few slightly different meanings, the most distinctive of which is “a unique readiness to accomplish a specified objective.” In this regard, it demonstrates its "yes or no" nature while also expressing potential.


“Ability,” “capacity,” 
And “capability”
May all to skill or aptitude
Refer with certainty.

Though in this mode, “capacity”
A prospect will imply,
Capacity is true innate,
Not made there on the fly.
 
Alike is “capability”;
Potential “p” it shares.
But native state it need need not be;
It often late appears.

And “capability” as well 
Is either yes or no.
It's not a matter of degree,
Worked up or native so.

“Ability” though as we know,
Means actual skill on tap;
The glass one gets may partial be,
Or brimming at the top.

There was a time “ability”
Was animate-object bound.
Those days had simpler rules perhaps,
With clearer answers found.

When putting “capability”
Where was “ability,” 
Decide if measure's “yes or no”
Or if degree it be.

​

Although the word “except” apparently originated as a verb, it is most commonly used as a conjunction or a preposition nowadays. Its listed meanings as a conjunction include “only,“ “under any other condition than,“ and “with the exception of.” As a preposition, it may indicate “not including,” “but not,” and “other than.” It is when it functions as a conjunction, often taking the place of the coordinating conjunction “but,” that it requires a comma, which alerts the reader to the beginning of a new idea that can almost, if not entirely, stand on its own. Sometimes “except” is used to introduce a parenthetical statement (i.e., information that could be put in parentheses since nonessential). Such parenthetical  information is set apart by two commas if in the middle of a sentence.


Apart from use as verb “omit,”
“Except” is typed as one of two.
Conjunction may it be when writ
Or preposition if more true.

Its meaning when in latter role 
Is “not including,” “other than,”
“But not,” or other such by soul;
Perhaps more stout in kindred stance.

Conjunctions join distinct ideas,
Not simple noun to single word.
“Except” when serving thus most days
Will boast a comma, strength assert.

Between two independent parts
Or adding on dependent clause,
Like parentheticals apart,
It sports the comma, marks its cause.

“The trees are mainly thick and green,
Except they thin along the cliff.”
“The rushing wind will howl and keen, 
Except when not so very stiff.” 

The case of parentheticals
Is easily seen and commonly known:
“Some tools, except mechanical,
Were hung on pegs as if there flown.”

If prepositional is the use,
No comma stands to tout the event.
Except at start of sentence news, 
It quiet comes, no notice sent.

“The meeting had already begun 
When cautiously he took a peek.
He knew he had to get it done;
The door was safe except for squeak.”

The key for commas with “except”
Boils down to knowing part of speech.
Put parentheticals aside,
And spot conjunctive usage each.
​