To Alan Mitchell

Vixi duellis nuper idoneus
Et militavi non sine gloria

I. Naming of Parts

Today we have naming of parts. Yesterday 
We had daily cleaning. And tomorrow morning, 
We shall have what to do after firing. But today, 
Today we have naming of parts. Japonica 
Glistens like coral in all of the neighbouring gardens, 
And today 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 cocking piece, 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 today we have naming of parts.