Looks Can Fool You, 6

het·ero·nym

Noun: one of two or more homographs [words that are spelled the same]

that differ in pronunciation and meaning

(such as a bass voice and bass, a fish)

First Known Use: circa 1889

6. bowed

The King’s insisted—all have bowed—

And that day there was quite a crowd.

I looked outside—along the road—

And saw a tree, so bent and bowed.

It’s weird, I thought, that every bough

Has chosen, for the King, to bow.

The King saw me; his face flared red:

“He looked away! Off with his head!”

So off I go, just whistling Bach,

To something called a “chopping block.”