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Amusing verses that shine a light on mostly medical and grammatical topics

​When proofreading with an eye to perfection, there really is no substitute for good research. While one is always guided by the client's stated preferences regarding style, there is also a baseline understanding that serves as the foundation against which required differences are compared.

I will be offering some home-grown verses here that may be helpful for keeping certain basics in mind while adapting to the guidelines of a specific project, whether under the umbrella of CMOS, AP, APA, MLA, or other guidance.

They are not intended to be comprehensive regarding any particular issue. Rather, the purpose is to draw attention to identifiable aspects that are worth noting and make them memorable.

I think of these verses tongue in cheek as "Grammar Grist." Others that you find here will be more along the lines of "Medical Musings"; some might even qualify as a combination of the two.

It'll be fun. So, let's do it. Share the cheer everywhere.


© 2022 - 2026 Medillumina 
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​Ever aware of his remarkable appetite, Shortfellow offered a thoughtful version of the well-known lines that contrast the different pronunciations of "scone."

I asked the maid in dulcet tone
To order me a buttered scone;
The silly girl has been and gone
And ordered me a buttered scone.
—Anonymous
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His own contribution from a perspective of delayed gratification was as follows:

I asked Valet in even tone
To serve me up a buttered scone;
But dozing off, he slept till dawn
And offered then to bake the scone. 

I set my jaw to gnaw a bone
While waiting prone for tardy scone.
One's eyes may drift to yon bonbon,
But nothing beats the scent of scone.

Aromas clear as voice on phone
Alert my tooth when ready scone.
I bark for oven mitts to don
And rescue me a lovely scone.

What care I now which sound is borne
When tongue shall taste and then adorn?
What'er the name, this dog is sworn 
To never leave a scone forlorn.
—Shortfellow (aka Lord Zakwoof of Glenwoof)

Authors

Literary posts by Duane Beaumont, M.D., Ph.D.

Photos and paintings by Patrice Beaumont

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