Sound and Sense, 53

We’re moving next to the homophone: a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air. So … contronyms are words that have contradictory meanings (sanctiion = approve and disapprove; homophones sound alike but to not mean the same—and often are not spelled the same, either.

1. cue (noun): a signal to a performer or stage crew member; a hint; a stick for shooting pool

(Verb): to give a signal or prompt; to strike with a pool cue

2. queue (noun): a line of people who are waiting for something; a braid of hair usually worn hanging at the back of the head

(Verb) to form or wait in line

The endless queue gave me the cue

That things were not as they should be,

And so I grabbed my trusty cue

In case the zombies came for me.

A friend stood waiting at the door

And cued me when the creatures came.

The queue of one draped to the floor;

Some others also looked the same.

They didn't queue politely when
They broke into our little place:
They had forgotten all they'd been,
And each possessed a grisly face.

We cued some zombies—not like balls—

And then we ran out in the street

And hoped that people heard our calls

Before the zombies got to eat.

The zombie surge is just the worst—

Like Noah’s most torrential rains.

For humans always have been cursed

By fellow humans lacking brains.