Looks Can Fool You, 21

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

21: deliberate

The jury must deliberate—

Decide the innocence or guilt.

So choose the hangman? Set a date?

And has the scaffold yet been built?

Deliberate, the killing was.

Cold-blooded, grim, and gruesome, too.

So we will execute the dude because

He looks to us, well, just like you.

Looks Can Fool You, 20

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

20: crooked

He crooked his neck and tried to see

The woman standing near.

She was, he knew, the one who meant

The most to him—so dear.

But he was old and crooked now—

So bent and white with age.

But still he loved that woman so—

Impossible to gauge.

She turned her ancient form to him—

And smiled—she knew his ways.

“Keep looking, dear,” she said to him,

“For all remaining days.”

Looks Can Fool You, 19

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

19. convict

The jury quickly did convict

That guy who often slyly tricked

Naïve and careless people, who

Refused to think (you know the crew).

So now he is a convict, Yo,

And has so many years to go

Before he strides out of his cell

And straight into the fires of hell.

Looks Can Fool You, 18

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

17. converse

“The converse of your thesis, Yo,

Is that it’s you who has to go—

Just thought that I would let you know.”

I overheard these two converse—

And wondered which of them was worse?

But muttered just a silent curse.

Such problems when you overhear

The talk of others who are near:

It fogs and smogs your atmosphere.

Looks Can Fool You, 17

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

16: convert

“Oh, don’t try to convert me, Sam—

I know just who and what I am.

I’m happy being simple me—

Need none of your epiphany!”

But I was patient, loved her dear.

Before the passage of a year

I’d made a convert of my wife—

And paid for it—I’d lost my life.

I woke one night—so late (not planned)

And saw a chainsaw in her hand.

“You told me I’d like horror flicks!”

She cried. And sawed. The River Styx

I’m crossing now in some weird boat—

With ragged red across my throat.

Looks Can Fool You, 16

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

17. converse

“The converse of your thesis, Yo,

Is that it’s you who has to go—

Just thought that I would let you know.”

I overheard these two converse—

And wondered which of them was worse?

But muttered just a silent curse.

Such problems when you overhear

To talk of others who are near—

It fogs and smogs your atmosphere.

Looks Can Fool You, 15

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

15: contract

I’d like to see my waist contract—

Though that means diet (sigh).

It seems, with age, we all expand,

And so, alas, do I.

I’d like a contract from my birth

That laid out certain terms:

No weight gains in my later years—

And then I’ll feed the worms.