And What Do You Get

Excise the er from exercise. Or from

example, take the ex out: now it’s bigger;

to be lonely, take the amp out

and replace it with an i, Take am or me

away from name

and suddenly there’s not

much left, the name’s one of the many names

for naught. Eleven tons of hidden work

are always lurking inside words. In English or

analysis (the cons turned pro, among the -fessions)

take in out

of mind and you’ve

go someone who delivers you a bill.

Take double you from anybody’s will—

a skew, a skid—and all

is terrifying—

take the the from

therapist, split accent with an id—

                    Heather McHugh