Vocabulary

Shorten my words? Never!
I wouldn't dare sacrifice my education.
Some days, though,
it seems to be
the way to go when
talking to the nation.

Pare down my speech? A sacrifice!
You ought to exercise your brain.
a new word or two
couldn't possibly hurt,
unless you feel
new words aren't worth the gain.

Sometimes, I wonder
if I did the right thing:
opening books,
writing intricate works
and using new terms...
was I the only one trying?

I sometimes feel I am
alone in learning new words.
What a shock!
Someone learning!
I've become a black sheep
in an intellectual herd slipping backwards.

Did I make that word up?
No way! Check your dictionary!
Is it my fault
that you're too lazy to find
a word you don't know?
Hearing that from other writers...is kind of scary.

So how should I handle
this display of ignorance?
I guess I should
continue to write,
maintain my style and be willing to take a verbal chance.