Sound and Sense, 2-67

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. moan (verb): to make a long, low sound; to express unhappiness; to say something in a way that shows pain or unhappiness; (noun): a long, low sound that someone makes because of pain, unhappiness, or physical pleasure; a long, low sound; a complaint about something

2. mown (verb—past participle form of mow): to cut down with a scythe or sickle or machine; to kill or destroy in great numbers; to overcome swiftly and decisively

Yes, all of us could hear the moan

Out in our yard. The grass, just mown

Here on the grounds that we now own,

Was telling us that it was sad,

Considered all this cutting bad,

As if the mowing somehow had

Committed some egregious crime.

“But, geez, we mow it all the time!”

“And keep us from our lush green prime!”

The grass replied in dudgeon high.

That scared me—hearing grasses cry.

“How would you like it, human guy,

If after you had grown a bit,

We clipped you off, you little twit!?”

Well, I had heard enough of it.

I cranked the mower once again,

And cut it lower (not a sin!)—

Such silent grass brought me a grin!