Truculent

by Gloria Frym

“an asperity of expression”
you see once in print
though don’t speak

“her pugnacious contribution”
you wouldn’t repeat
you’ve never uttered
“eponymous” or “oeneric” but
reading “her pulchritude”

strengthens a flaccid
vocabulary
better than flash cards

“adamantine panniers”
would frighten
the toughest bike rider