Wise Man

When the tournament started the puzzlers knew
all crosswords would contain an off-the-wall clue.
For the best of the best would solve down and across
in this fine competition at, I’m at a Loss.

  (I’m at a Loss  was this new publication
  so apropos for a crossword occasion.
  It specialized in things weird and offbeat--
  and was so glad to have solvers compete.)

All the crossword contestants sat down for round one,
and the head of the Loss  said, “Good luck, everyone!”
Then all manner of words were filled into the squares
as the solvers drank coffee and hunched in their chairs.

By the end of round one they were whittled in half,
and the word for round two was from Latin for, laugh.
So for those who moved on there was just no debate
when they got it correct with the word, cachinnate.

And then after more rounds there were two left to brawl
for the king of the hill in this crossword take-all.
(Since the winner would receive a new Spelling Ace,
he of course had to count on the Loss  for his place.)

As they labored on paper, each clue was espied,
and it was on gray matter that they both relied.
Alas, one had to win while the other did not,
and the one who was Vaughn soon became pretty hot!

So Vaughn baited the winner with insulting din,
thinking if he could rattle him, he’d slight the win.
But the winner was not taken in by the ploy;
Max remained in control, dignified, pretty coy.

Maxwell won with this odd word--it was, syzygy;
and then later the baiter said, “How could this be?”
Max said, “I’m in bed early, and early I rise;”
“which allows me my focus and keeps me word-wise.”

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