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! 

Sound and Sense, 2-66

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. missed (verb—past tense of miss): to fail to hit, catch, reach, or get (something); to fail to use (something); to fail to do, take, make, or have something; to discover or feel the absence of; etc.

2. mist (noun): water in the form of very small drops floating in the air or falling as rain; a fine spray; (verb): to become overhead with very fall drops of water; of a person’s eyes—to fill with tears; etc.

Because of all the mist he missed

His turn. And later he’d insist

That all had been an accident,

That neighbor’s yard where his car went.

The car destroyed some gorgeous plants

(And several rows of busy ants).

The owner’s eyes began to mist:
She started forming such a list

Of all that she would sue him for—

The flattened flowers—ants—and more.

But in the swirling, densest mist

He just drove off, while neighbors hissed.

They caught him quickly, down the hill:

So many flowers on the grille!

Sound and Sense, 2-65

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. miner (noun): one who works in a mine

2. minor (noun): a person who is not yet old enough to have the rights of an adult; a second subject studied by a college or university student in addition to a main subject (major); (adj.): less in importance; small in number; not very serious

His college minor—history.

He loved the ways that he could see

How people sought their destiny.

Of minor interest (big surprise)

His major: English (glazed his eyes,

But he liked books of any size).

His dad had been a miner—coal.

The hard work nearly broke his soul.

But his son’s schooling was his goal.

And while son was a minor, Dad,

Then gave his lone son all he had.

And he became a grateful lad.

He studied hard and hoped he would

Impress his father (as he should).

But then decided Robin Hood

Was such a very awesome dude—

So though it was so very rude,

He joined the Merry Men. (Dad sued.)

Sound and Sense, 2-64

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. mince (verb): to cut (food) into very small pieces; to walk with quick, short steps in a way that does not seem natural and that is often meant to be funny; (noun): small chops's bits (as of food); to make coins

2. mints (noun): plural of mint—any of a family of aromatic plants; a confection flavored with mint; a place where coins, medals, or tokes are made; a vast sum or amount

He isn’t one his words to mince—

He speaks his mind, his true intents.

(He doesn’t really have much sense.)

His favorite candy? Always mints.

His favorite place to rob? The mints.

His favorite plant? Of course—the mints.

And when he walks, his steps he’ll mince—

And many friendships thus prevents.

He has no job—no dollars, cents.

His problems? Well, he circumvents.

(He is, I’ve said, a little dense.)

But I’ve just learned: He is a prince!

And so he is what he appeared—

A little strange—not to be feared.

For royalty can be all weird!

Sound and Sense, 2-63

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. might (noun): power to do something; force or strength; (verbal auxiliary): used in auxiliary function to express permission, liberty, probability, possibility in the past, or a present condition contrary to fact, etc. (past of may)

2. mite (noun): any of numerous small acarid arachnids that often infest animals, plants, and stored foods and include important disease vectors; a small coin or some of money; a very little bit

He thought that he would use his might

To crush that noxious little mite

Whose goal if life was bite, bite, bite!

He might have had a better plan

Than smash himself (not bright was Dan).

He used a hammer. Now he can

Not think too well (he smashed his head)—

And people look at him with dread.

His wife confines him to the shed,

Where, sadly, there are many mites,

Against whom Dan has many fights

Right after he turns out the lights.

Sound and Sense, 2-62

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. mews (noun): a place for hiding or retirement; a small gull;  (verb): 3^rd personal singular of mew—to utter a mew or similar sound (like a cute little fuzzy kitty!)

2. muse (noun): any of nine sister goddesses in Greek mythology presiding over song and poetry and the arts and sciences; a source of inspiration; (verb): to think or say something in a thoughtful way; etc.

I sat down with that special Muse—

The one for poetry.

Euterpe is her given name,

But “Terpie” works for me.

She gave me such profound advice—

But was I glad for it?

I mused about the Muse’s words—

She said, “You oughta quit.”

I moved into a nearby mews—

But quit! Oh, I refuse!

I found a wayward kittie, who

Delighted me with mews.

But a translation of those sounds

Just nearly caused a fit:

The kittie’d said (about my verse):

“You really oughta quit!”

Two mews flew overhead just then—
My mood was dark a bit.
And both of them so clearly cried:
"You really oughta quit!"

I tried to muse about their words—

About their dark advice.

I came to this conclusion then:

Advisers are not nice! 

So I kept writing, writing on—

My notebooks, very full.

I simply can not live (I muse)

Without my doggerel!

Sound and Sense, 2-61

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. meeting (noun): a gathering of people for a particular purpose; a situation or occasion when two people see and talk to each other;  (verb): pres. part. form of meet = to gather, etc.

2. meting (verb): pres. part. form of mete = to give out by measure (dole); (noun): boundary

There at the meeting house we saw

A lot of people—what a range

Of age and gender … somewhat strange:

For they were meeting in the raw.

The cops arrived, were meting out

Some punishment for nudity.

We stuck around so we could see

What this commotion was about.

Okay, and seeing naked folks

Of such a wide variety.

In ways it seemed and felt to me

Like breaking eggs—and seeing yolks.