From The Enigma
NPL Magazine
November, 2015
EARL E. BYRD

The three key words to this flat end in (almost) exactly the same way. Can you determine what they are from the context of the flat? The number of blanks indicates the number of letters in the missing words.

My son is not an athlete,
He tries, but can't compete.
And, sad to say, this gets him down.
He seems to wear a constant frown.
I'd like to say, "Your _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is bad.
Don't mope. Why not, instead, be glad
That you possess an intellect
That others must surely respect."
But he would hear that as a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
And I desire to give him _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
To overcome his funk himself
And put his blues upon the shelf.

Answers:

Attitude
Platitude
Latitude