He Said/She Said – A Study in Emphasis

[RhymeLovingWriter]

He Said/She Said – A Study in Emphasis


I want my way with you

No other’s intentions allowed

I want my way with you

No need required at present

I want my way with you

No other pacifier sought

I want my way with you

No idle threat – action required

I want my way with you

No solo endeavor planned

I want my way with you

No other fits the bill

And if compliance becomes your creed
Have you any idea to what you’ve agreed?



©RhymeLovingWriter 2016

[BiocideJ]

I love this
despite what others might think

I love this
a statement of how much

I love this
the form and the concept

I doubt it was really the intent of your writing, but this really does show how difficult it can be at times to convey meaning with the written word alone simply because of how differently the same string of words can be interpreted.

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Thanks BJ. I have no idea why things come into my head this way, but it seemed an interesting study and I thought I'd try to turn it into a 'poem'. Thank YOU (no way to bold or underline in comments) for your response!

[MHenry]

Hi, RLW, This is a clever, thinking piece. It is interesting how the meaning changes depending on what word one emphasizes. If one emphasizes none of the words, then every word has equal emphasis and encompasses all of the meanings at once!

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Well, one thing I don't think I've ever been called is monotone MHenry, so this proved a fun study in playing with emphasis! Thanks for the look, like, and as always, thoughtful comment.

[grant hayes]

Excellent case study for English classes, Rhymist. Certainly opens minds to the ambiguities and potential of written language, and also to the role of intonation in conveying meaning.

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Thanks Grant. Since I've never had the patience of a real, dedicated grammarian, this kind of playing around the edges appeals much more to me. Thank you for the look, like, and astute observation!

[grant hayes]

It illustrates the point far more effectively than real, dedicated grammarians can manage.

[BiocideJ]

Looking at this again makes me wonder, how DO poets/writers indicate when they want to emphasize a specific word for the right meaning in a sentence? I don't think in typical published books I recall seeing the use of bold letters (I could be mistaken) and the all caps seems like a rather modern and somewhat crude way to go about emphasizing words.

[lunar glide]

is context sufficient?. poets don't always write to be understood though..

[CeramicCornflake]

I use italics to emphasize. Sometimes I'll use caps if someone is shouting, but not in super serious stuff.

[DWAYNE]

Clever, imaginative, intriguing, poignant write!

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Thanks DWAYNE. I appreciate your look, like, and comment. Those descriptors are pretty kind too!

[AlexandratheLate]

This is very intriguing RLW. Love the format. Nicely done.

[RhymeLovingWriter]

Thanks for the like Suz-zen!

[Pyro]

And if compliance becomes your creed. Have you any idea to what you’ve agreed?
No clue RLW, but you leave us no choice! He said/She said: I'm intrigued.
Same here

[BiocideJ]

Funny, I somehow missed those lines on my first read. I wonder if it has something to do with the edit notes below them making it look less important.

[RhymeLovingWriter]

I went back and added additional line spaces at the end. Does that help?

[BiocideJ]

It should, but it's tough to gauge how well I would have seem something when I already know to look for it.