(A proofreader's note regarding “farther” and “further”)

Though “farther” and “further” have vowels distinct,

Their functions and meanings are mostly the same;

They both serve as adjective, adverb as well,

Comparatives of “far” although different in name.

As adverbs, their senses are equally used,

Relating to literal and figurative spans.

They say “to a greater degree or extent,”

Or “at or as far as a point that's advanced.”

“More distant” is one sense the adjectives have;

Another is “going/extending beyond.”

This latter from “farther” has sought to abscond,

Discovering with “further” a much stronger bond.

This meaning, “additional,” is one of the points

Where “farther” and “further” are different in use.

There's also the adverb, conjunctive in type:

“Moreover,” “in addition,” whichever you choose.

Despite being like “farther” in much of its usage,

“Further” is favored when distance is absent.

Of interest as well is that more parts of speech

Are given to “further” by common assent.

“We run ever farther to further our joy,

Proceeding most strongly and, further, with verve.

We further the skeptics or simply annoy,

But all will be certain that farther's no verb.

“Remember that further is broader in scope,

'Additional,' 'moreover,' both there in its clime.

When ‘far’ is compared by extent or degree,

Then further beats farther, its reach more sublime.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “abstruse” and “obtuse”)

“Abstruse” and “obtuse,” with costumes that confuse,

Follow disparate purviews and missions;

Though each in the other may see an excuse,

As descriptors they serve different passions.

Apart from its use in some specialty areas,

Like geometry, botany, and such,

“Obtuse” as an adjective speaks most of people,

But sometimes on things it will touch.

A Latin ancestor had “blunt” as its meaning,

So “dull” and “not pointed” we find.

But “lacking a quickness or sharpness of intellect”

Likewise is often in mind.

“Obtuse” in its usage extends to describing

A thing that is not clearly stated;

By virtue of this, it comes close to “abstruse,”

But the two words should not be conflated.

The word “comprehensible” conjures the key

To the meanings “abstruse” may adopt;

“Hellacious to understand due to complexity

While clear in expression and apt”;

Thus, “difficult” for persons of normal intelligence

Or “clear to enlightened ones only.”

Instead, with “obtuse,” a deliberate dull-wittedness

Sometimes is meant although phony.

“Remember 'abstract' before choosing 'abstruse'

To misuse of 'obtuse’ make unlikely.”

“If person 'obtuse' should claim things as 'abstruse,'

It's a ruse to refuse—and quite rightly.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “forego” and “forgo”)

We often forget that “forego” and “forgo”

Are verbs that have meanings distinct;

Their English ancestors “foregan” and “forgan”

Had targets that never were linked.

“To go on before” was the meaning of one,

The other “from something abstain.”

Today, in our speech, these words echo themselves,

Yet play disparate parts in the main.

A thing that precedes may be said to “forego”

As long as the one “e” is kept;

Renouncing the “e” would be “doing without,”

Which only “forgo” could accept.

The clue is the prefix with meaning “before,”

As “fore” tells the tale of its time.

The clearly “foregone” has already occurred,

No matter the vibe or the clime.

“Forgo,” as its focus, has “doing without”

To offer for most fitting use.

“To do without, lose, and to forfeit, give up”

Are senses with similar views.

But sometimes “forgo” is misspelled as “forego,”

A laxity sad and deplorable.

This written misuse is so common today,

The words may appear interchangeable.

“Though others forewent them, they said they'd forgo

The hike to the dusty hilltop.

By foregone conclusion, the trail would be parched;

They'd better forgo or they'd drop.”

(A proofreader's note regarding “compel” and “impel”)

“Compel” and “impel” are two similar performers

That share a connection to “urge.”

While both verbs relate to a pushing to action,

“Compel” has more senses to splurge.

The most common sense of “compel” that we find

Is “to forcefully urge to an act.”

Included as well, “irresistibly” factors;

It hints at coercion, in fact.

“To cause to occur or to happen/accomplish

With force or great pressure applied” 

Is one other sense that is frequently lent;

A restriction of choice is implied.

“Impel,” quite in contrast, is more motivational

In one sense that's like to “compel”:

“To drive or to urge/motivate into action

By strong moral pressure upheld.”

The force urging action is often internal

With this the more common of meanings;

A deeply embedded emotion or preference 

Is usually driving its leanings.

“Impel” in its usage may also be physical,

A second sense clearly defined.

It means to “propel,” but is unlike “compel” 

Where the physical sense is unkind.

“Compelled to respond in his box near the judge,

He was fighting an impulse to flee.

Alas, though, his conscience was much more impelling;

It left him impelled to agree.”