Looks Can Fool You, 49

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

49: project

He really hoped he could project

An image that would so impress

His boss, who then would not object

To paying for his trip: Loch Ness.

His project was this monster thing

That he had read of all these years.

And to his search he planned to bring

Raw courage—for he had no fears …

Or so he thought—until that day

He saw the creature in the wild,

And though he tried to run away,

He failed—poor body found defiled.

Looks Can Fool You, 48

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

48: produce

“You must produce more produce!” cried

The customer in heat.

“I love my veggies! Nothing more

Will I accept to eat!”

The manager (the butcher shop)

Could not reply—no word.

To ask a guy who sells but flesh

For kale is, well, absurd.

The customer grew ever more

Obnoxious—such a dork!

The butcher then “took care of him”—

And put him with the pork.

Looks Can Fool You, 47

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

47: primer

He read the primer, just to see

How primer works—how it should be

Applied to work effectively.

But he forgot to scrape the wood—

So all that effort that he should

Have done resulted in no good:

The paint job was a holy mess—

The client’s feelings? Take a guess!

The painter’s payment? Somewhat less

Than he had hoped for.

Looks Can Fool You, 46

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

46: present

The present was his favorite place—

The past? The future? Not his thing.

And so he showed a sunny face,

Enjoying what the moments bring.

And moments really could present

Some awkward times for such as he—

A future-hating careless gent

Who never thought what he would be

In any time beyond right now.

So then he died—no life can last—

And those who knew him (I and thou)

Were forced to use one tense—the past.

Looks Can Fool You, 45

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

45: polish/Polish

The man was Polish (so he said).

He loved his books (he read and read).

He loved great movies (streamed a bunch).

He loved his meals (but, mostly, lunch).

He loved to polish (silverware).

He loved to bake (with weekly care).

He loved his son (he loved his wife).

He loved it all (a special life).

Looks Can Fool You, 44

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

44: permit

He had no permit—none at all—

But sneaked right in there, nonetheless.

And while inside, he had a ball—

Though why he did, I couldn’t guess.

Why would you want to sneak inside

A slaughterhouse so late at night?

I can’t imagine—though I’ve tried.

(Perhaps he wasn't all that bright?)

Permit me, though, to speculate:

I think his goal was to be kind—

To talk with cows about their fate—

To teach them to be more … resigned.

Looks Can Fool You, 43

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

43: perfect

If you try to perfect both yourself and your wife,

It is likely you’ll have a most frustrating life.

For all wives are all perfect—as you surely know—

And all husbands are not—check their portfolio.

So perfect just yourselves, all you husbands out there.

It’s a way you can show that you really do care.

But if you must insist on correcting your spouse?

Oh, you soon will be finding a bachelor's house!