When something's gone
In words I've spawned,
My right pinkie
Takes direct aim
At the board's plane,
Attains the key.

On the display the mark is shown:
Apostrophe.

When I must cleave
A word and leave
Out "a," I know
It's just not right
If I should slight
This mark, forgo.

I must apply it now to 'bout:
Apostrophe.

So if "because" I should truncate,
You see, confusion would await
If I didn't replace the "be"
With an apostrophe.

Then if "appear"
I need to shear,
Replace the "a."
Once telephone
Was noted: 'phone
But not today.

"Round" for "around" ain't left alone:
Apostrophe.

Notice in "I'm," the "a" is out:
Apostrophe.

Let's say that you encounter 'bate
With no context. What would you state:
A verb that's 'bout a type of beat
Or implying retreat?

The time is here
For me to clear
Out, 'bate inveigh'.*
Abate the drone,
Leave you alone,
Sashay, fade 'way.

Now I'll come 'round and I will 'tone:
Apology. A posh trophy?
'at's not for me. Appalling me.
A pall on screed 'at's called acme's
Antipodes.** A pox on me.


*inveigh[ing]: railing
**opposite (an-TIP-uh-deez)