Nobody and No Body

 

 

Easy to spot when written

But not as easy otherwise,

In reading it is the intonation

Unless otherwise disguised.

 

Text, audio and video:

Three ways in which we present,

By now you know what I mean

We are talking news content.

 

Nobody and no body

Appear in the news quite often

And they are easier to distinguish

When either one is written.

 

When the police arrived

There was no body at the scene,

Nobody had any information

Re where the body had been.

 

Pretend to be an announcer

And read the verse before,

In order to indicate the distinction

Intonation must be at the fore.

 

Video is just as impossible

If you catch what I really mean,

Try showing nobody or no body

At a murder scene.

“Nobody was at home”

No problem deciphering that

But change it to no body

And you have a case to crack.

 

So, when you read this poem

Be prepared to intone,

Especially if you are reading aloud

And people are in your zone.

 

Otherwise it would be confusing

These bodies to differentiate,

Between a nobody and no body

Let there be no mistake.

 

Even with nobody alone

One must be very careful,

For if the indefinite article goes before

That speaks of certain people.

 

 

 

Nobody, let me quickly state,

Likes being called a nobody

Since a nobody is a type of person

Nobody thinks of seriously.

 

So, be aware of these nuances

That can at times cause trouble,

Intonation makes a lot of difference

And also, the indefinite article.

 

Stewart Russell © November 10, 2021

 

Nobody and No Body

 

 

Easy to spot when written

But not as easy otherwise,

In reading it is the intonation

Unless otherwise disguised.

 

Text, audio and video:

Three ways in which we present,

By now you know what I mean

We are talking news content.

 

Nobody and no body

Appear in the news quite often

And they are easier to distinguish

When either one is written.

 

When the police arrived

There was no body at the scene,

Nobody had any information

Re where the body had been.

 

 

Pretend to be an announcer

And read the verse before,

In order to indicate the distinction

Intonation must be at the fore.

 

Video is just as impossible

If you catch what I really mean,

Try showing nobody or no body

At a murder scene.

 

“Nobody was at home”

No problem deciphering that

But change it to no body

And you have a case to crack.

 

So, when you read this poem

Be prepared to intone,

Especially if you are reading aloud

And people are in your zone.

 

Otherwise it would be confusing

These bodies to differentiate,

Between a nobody and no body

Let there be no mistake.

 

Even with nobody alone

One must be very careful,

For if the indefinite article goes before

That speaks of certain people.

 

 

Nobody, let me quickly state,

Likes being called a nobody

Since a nobody is a type of person

Nobody thinks of seriously.

 

So, be aware of these nuances

That can at times cause trouble,

Intonation makes a lot of difference

And also, the indefinite article.

 

Stewart Russell © November 10, 2021

 

“What”

“What”: Exclamation or Question

Depends on the circumstance

But if you hear the tone right

You could definitely take a chance.

There’s a tone for the exclamation

And a tone for the question

And if you listen carefully

You can determine the intonation.

“What” when it comes as a question

Carries a deadpan irritability

Somewhat like, “Okay what now?

Can’t you see I am busy?”

As a question too it could intone

“I didn’t quite hear what you said.”

And if you want the person to repeat

Just simply say, “What” instead.

But “What” with an exclamation

Could indicate incredulity,

That “What” says, “I don’t believe you’

There’s no such possibility.”

This “What” has a high-pitched tone

With an exaggerated inflection,

Such a “What” can mean excitement

Or indicate total rejection.

“What” is a one-word sentence

Indicating a question or exclamation,

To distinguish the one from the other

Acknowledge the intonation.

It’s a trend in communication

Sometimes it’s not even a word,

Just the sound or intonation

Gives meaning to what is heard.

It is like after reading this poem

Your “What” will indicate incredulity:

“Can’t he do anything better

With his time and ability?”

My “What” would be, “Repeat the question

I really did not hear.

There was some noise in the channel

And your comment was not fair.”

Stewart Russell © September 2018