I wondered: what’s the etymology
of irony and iron? Do they share
a common root, or trick disparity?
I learned that they’re an unrelated pair.
They sound alike coincidentally,
and by the way, that’s not a synonym:
coincident’ly’s not ironic’ly.
I wince when they’re exchanged, and I’m not prim.

Then too, I’m lately bothered and confused
at all the stars and products called iconic.
The term’s too tall and broad and overused
to intimate the holy. It’s ironic:
the loudest call for English speaking now
proceeds from characters who don’t know how.