OY/YO

The opposite of OY is YO,
Two words that most New Yorkers know
And people ‘cross the globe as well,
Though what they mean, not all can tell.

So I’ll explain: the term “Oy vey”
Expresses “Woe is me!” dismay
Or “Oh, my goodness!” or “Good grief!”
And OY is used to keep it brief.

Now YO! is just another way
To call somebody, same as “Hey!”
It gets attention and, when meeting,
Serves as a hello-type greeting.

The Brooklyn artist Deborah Kass
Took O and Y and, with some sass,
Made quite a sculpture, for the view
Is either word when facing you.

The artwork was a huge success
For OY and YO do both express,
In ways to which we all relate,
A quick way to communicate.