Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Sound and Sense, 2-56


Time for more instances of the homophone: a word pronounced the same as another but differing in meaning, whether spelled the same way or not, as heir and air.

1. mean (adj.): lacking distinction or merit; occupying a middle position; cruel; (noun): a middle point; average; (verb): to have a particular meaning
2. mesne (adj.): intermediate, intervening (legal term)
3. mien (noun): a person’s expression or physical appearance                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
He wondered what it all could mean
Her clothing, attitude, and mien.
He really had not ever seen

Their like before. He was not mean
And was, in fact, above the mean
In kindness—seemed to have no spleen.

The mesne proposal that he said—
Between his looks and her fair bed—
Remained, so silent in his head.

Instead, he watched her from afar,
There in the busy chocolate bar,
Then saw her leave, go to her car,

And drive into the western sun,
The sinking one (yes, that’s the one):
It signified the death of fun.


(His.)

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