Naming of Parts

Henry Reed, 1914-1986

To-day we have naming of parts. Yesterday,
We had daily cleaning. And to-morrow morning,
We shall have what to do after firing. But today,
To-day we have naming of parts. Japonica 
Glistens like coral in all of the neighbouring gardens, 
And to-day we have naming of parts.

This is the lower sling swivel. And this
Is the upper sling swivel, whose use you will see,
When you are given your slings. And this is the piling swivel, 
Which in your case you have not got. The branches 
Hold in the gardens their silent, eloquent gestures, 
Which in our case we have not got.

This is the safety-catch, which is always released
With an easy flick of the thumb. And please do not let me
See anyone using his finger. You can do it quite easy
If you have any strength in your thumb. The blossoms
Are fragile and motionless, never letting anyone see
Any of them using their finger.

And this you can see is the bolt. The purpose of this 
Is to open the breech, as you see. We can slide it 
Rapidly backwards and forwards: we call this 
Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards 
The early bees are assaulting and fumbling the flowers: 
They call it easing the Spring.

They call it easing the Spring; it is perfectly easy 
If you have any strength in your thumb; like the bolt, 
And the breech, and the cockingpiece, and the point of balance, 
Which in our case we have not got; and the almond blossom 
Silent in all of the gardens and the bees going backwards and forwards 
For to-day we have naming of parts.