Misunderstood
Sitting here and shuddering, feeling so misunderstood
It’s really not that difficult to treat us as you should
For when we’re used correctly, it just feels so divine
To know you know the difference is honestly sublime.
It’s tricky, yes, when suddenly you come across a bear
We hope that if you do, that you’re clothed and not just bare
Life can be quite sorrowful when you have a cross to bear
It helps to find a friend the times your soul you need to bare.
And if you speak of olden times, you speak of times of yore
Those times are ours but newer ones belong to you and your
When you want to say, you are, the word to use is you’re
So if you’re going to the store, please do not use your.
To go somewhere it’s right to say that you are going there
But not to say that when you do, that they are going their
For their is what belongs to them and where they go is there
If they are not on time sometimes, the word to use is they’re.
We can be so possessive, when what’s mine is what is its
If you add a silent is to us, then you know the word is it’s
So who’s is theirs and whose is what’s, a jumbled mess is its
Some just never get us right, a downright shame for it’s.
We hope you comprehend the words that we want you to hear
But if you don’t, a dictionary is placed for you right here
When you use us right, you know, we give you a hear! hear!
Knowing which to choose and when, is written right in here.
Don’t leave us here so lonely, feeling so misunderstood
Take the time to know us and to treat us as you should
For when we’re used correctly, it just feels so divine
To know you know the difference is honestly sublime.
© Catherine Vigna, 2011
Anthropomorphic* Poem
*Giving human characteristics to non-human things.
Oh, Julie, this truly makes me smile and your head must have been spinning when you wrote it, especially, in the “its” paragraph! Whew! I have to ask you, in the second to the last paragraph, shouldn’t the word be “choose” instead of “chose?” I hope you don’t mind me asking you…if you ever notice anything in my writing, please let me know…I usually have my hubby or kids edit, but they’re not always available. Anyway, I love the perspective, great job and awesome lesson taught (again)!
Lauren, you are exactly right, and I’ve corrected it; thanks so much for pointing that out for me – I prefer if anyone ever notices anything like that, because I want my work to be the best it can be – so thank you!
My head certainly was spinning, lol. And I would have found the poem sooner, but had it filed under ‘Poetry Formats” instead of under its own name; it’s an exercise on the Anthropomorphic style of poetry. I have to say that I had a ton of fun with it, though. Glad that it made you smile.
I’m glad I didn’t offend you! I loved it and you did an awesome job. Everyone should read it! It would certainly be a fun way of learning the right way to write!
I’m never offended by an honest critique, especially when it means that I can improve on my craft. I believe that there is no place for ego, and that no one is infallible – for how else do we learn? And even though I’m an editor myself, I don’t have anyone here to assist me – so I’m always grateful for outside help.
Great, I feel the same way and I’m not an editor, so another pair of eyes is always appreciated!
This is unbelievable! Marvelous! If I were an English teacher (an old dead dream), I would absolutely have this posted in my classroom!! My students would Not leave the semester/quarter unless they had these rules nailed inside their pointy little heads!!! Just great, Julie–thanks!
LOL, Caddo, “pointy little heads” made me laugh out loud, thank you! I could have done many more stanzas because there’s so many more that far too many people mix up – but my head was truly spinning with these ones. It was fun to do, though; thanks so much for enjoying it. ~ Julie
Very intriguing! I love your work. Maybe sometime you can check mine out as well.
Keep it up!!
Thank you so much! I’m following you as well, and look forward to exploring your work.