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    DEPRIVATION/DEPRAVATION

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    ​(A proofreader's note regarding “deprivation” and “depravation”)

    The damaging lack in “deprivation”
    Has moral corruption none,
    But wickedness in “depravation”
    Is gradually sown and grown.

    “Deprive” implies withhold from having,
    Thus cuing thoughts of “lack”;
    “Deprave” paves way to corruption certain,
    As real as a mortal attack.

  • Published on

    ENUMERABLE/INNUMERABLE

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    (A proofreader's note regarding “enumerable” and “innumerable.”)

    “Enumerable” is to enumerate
    As countable is to count;
    But with the word “innumerable,”
    Futility must abound.

    It says “too many” in number to count,
    While “numerous” says “many.”
    Innumerable are the stars above,
    More mighty in number than any.

    By virtue of its very size
    Or lack of finite bounds,
    That number is non-countable,
    Despite the awe it crowns.

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  • Published on

    DISCREET/DISCRETE

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    (A proofreader's note on “discreet” and “discrete.”)

    Although the plan was now complete,
    Its crafters had been too discreet;
    Some members mocked the pure conceit 
    Of those who worked on crew discrete.

    This latter few, to be discreet,
    Had kept all parley close indeed,
    And members of the trusted group
    Were individual “joes” by creed,

    Whose lives were separate, thus “discrete.”
    If separation is implied,
    A gap between the e's is clue,
    Enforced by “t” and safely plied;

    But when the two are cheek by jowl,
    The word expressed must be “discreet,”
    Judiciousness in act or speech,
    With emphasis on silence neat.

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