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Fish To Fishes

FISH TO FISHES They changed the "many fish," it is now called the "fishes"? As in more than "one wish" for our dreams, as in "wishes." In the apple half cut to halves, that we have to have, Or one foot, to many feet, and calf to many calves. No hyphen in Email and gone from Walmart? This rule was to make the two words stand apart. The words with hyphens we've learned and we know, they may join or part, in this Word-Art-Nouveau. Where to put a period or comma whilst in a quote? Do we put them inside or outside, do take a note. The British go outside and the Americans go in, The rules seem arbitrary and get under your skin. Then there are Homophones that we have to spell? They can sound the same but our ear cannot tell. Two too to, and flew, flu, flue, what shall we do? Memorize, look it up, it's madly askew. Ain't hour English easy to speak and two right? The essay chore will keep won up half the knight. Adding Latin and Greek, and French so to speak, Every language applied, they finally tweak. By Edlynn Nau © February 11, 2016

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Jan Terry

Date: 2/12/2016 3:54:00 PM

Edlynn, your poetry is certainly a treasure. Now that I've started catching up, I can't stop reading. So sorry to hear of your misfortunes. I'm praying God will look upon you favorably in rebuilding your life. In the meantime, keep writing. The richness of your words is a pleasure to others. hugs dear poet.

Edlynn Nau
Date: 2/12/2016 7:28:00 PM

Thank you Janece! I try and tap that Funntbone when I can. You are so dear to give me an audience. I have set aside next Tuesday to read ALL DAY your poetry and many others I owe a read to. Writing today, taxes all weekend, Monday errands, Tuesday read. Pray (do pray) I get all that in! LOL

Jan Terry

Date: 2/12/2016 3:45:00 PM

You've got that right! English is a very difficult language. There are as many rules as exceptions. I truly admire those who learned it as a second language.. Your poem has captured its idiosyncrasies with humor and finesse. A very good tongue-in-cheek piece.

Edlynn Nau
Date: 2/12/2016 7:34:00 PM

I think all of us can appreciate those that have to learn English as their second language (most of the world) in that we take 12 years to master it ourselves! Then, that we write and try various forms of poetry to tell stories, present facts, record emotions, puts us right up against all the difficulties. That American English & British English sound the same but ARE SO DIFFERENT makes it doubly hard. Thank you for relating your views here!

Jan Allison

Date: 2/11/2016 6:07:00 PM

This really made me smile - I have found there are so many difference in language between the US and British styles ... final stanza was very clever - there was a contest last year purely written with homophones it was a great challenge:-) hugs jan xx

Edlynn Nau
Date: 2/11/2016 8:50:00 PM

Thank you JAN! I always write the last stanza first! It always works for me. I found our first few stanzas are usually among the best. So I write the last first and then the first. After that, one can fill in the middle and it almost doesn't matter in what order (unless it's a ballad or a story form). Ha ha! My most difficult task is the syllable count and stress. Calculus is easier! Lol.