why does *****
sound and look
so much more
refined
than its
American cousin?

how can one little letter
"e"
make such a difference?

after all
it is silent
doesn't speak up
in defense of the word

just sits at the end
all perky
and quirky

though it does
impact
its fellow vowel
as if it has some
magical power

wonder who exactly
made up the silly rules
[rhetorical!]

I once was told
during a discussion
of the difference
in some of the "rules"
between here and 'cross the pond

by a very brilliant man,
a genius, they say
who happened to be a Brit
[Americanized]

I was told

"English
is just
a made-up
language."

And I had to wonder
did the others
fall from the clouds?
wash up from the sea?
just appear out of nowhere?

so now I wonder should I change the title
since I have two things here
oh, wait I guess that's three things
that
I wonder