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(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.
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(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.
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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.”
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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)
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[Inspired by Hughes Mearn's Antigonish]
Yesterday while in the park,
I met a dog who didn't bark.
He didn't bark again today;
And yet a lot he had to say.
For though his lips were standing still,
There was a tree he'd marked at will.
I cocked a leg and promptly peed
To leave no doubt that I could read.
This evening when I sniffed near home,
I caught a message in the loam
To check the trees along the walk
So he could have a little talk.
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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Pillows of willows rolling in meadows,
Marking the course of a singular creek;
Blushing the landscape with plumes of sienna,
Prelude to springtime and greenery most chic.
Subtle the colors, as just now awakening,
Wispy the leaves on tentative stems;
Barely surpassing their spectral origins,
Buds sitting quietly like genies and gems.
Strangely low key is this vital transition,
Muted the scene in a year-long play;
Moment of poignancy vested with purpose,
On its way a season to sway.
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This chinquapin with gold-backed leaves
May tantalize the gaze,
But spiny fruit that grow thereon
With hazards will amaze.
Their spines when young the brave will dare
To lightly test with touch,
To brush a fuzzy-looking sphere,
To think it's not too much.
If flying hedgehogs lived indeed,
This bush would camouflage;
Provide a nest above the herd,
A safety net enlarge.
I keep a watchful canine eye
When passing just in case
A pygmy hedgehog drops to earth--
Oh, what a chance to chase!
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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~Regarding whether in marketing a proofreader might claim to “have proven”~
That proof is in the pudding
Is proven after oven;
But “oven” within “proven”
Is proved by simple vision.
So here we see that “proven”
Is participle likewise
To “proved” in sentence given;
No doubt a cause of sad sighs.
For often it is questioned
Why these two words should battle
To prove the most deserving
To serve as only participle.
It leaves us quite unsettled
When choosing “proved” or “proven”:
What rule “has proved” its truth yet,
Or what “has proven” certain.
Though use by country varies,
Feel safe with “proved” in general.
It ends in “d” deliberate,
“Default” the clue in total.
For adjective, no quandary;
It's “proven,” recent risen.
Remember “proved” is also
The simple past when bidden.
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The manzanitas of my dream
Surpass their wake-bound kin,
With leaves more green and stems that gleam
In burnt sienna sin.
Their branches, thickly glazed and smooth
Like honey-coated claws,
Show clear a path for snout and tooth
Advancing without pause.
And here no little apples hang
But massive fruit in reach.
Low-lying bounty, mighty fang?
No nightmare this, I preach.
--Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)
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In a moment of evocative contemplation, our four-legged hero likened the joys of his gustatory experience to a “thing of beauty” as described by John Keats.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
—John Keats
A happy treat is no toy forever;
Its loveliness increases one's endeavor
To stash it quick within the inner keep,
Intending then to list with welcome sleep,
And dream of chase and catch and breathless yelping.
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)