Vixi duellis nuper idoneus

Et militavi non sine gloria

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

Glistens¹ like coral in all of the neighbouring gardens，

And to-day we have naming of parts.

This is the lower sling² swivel. And this

Is the upper sling swivel， whose use you will see，

When you are given your slings³. And this is the piling swivel，

Which in your case you have not got. The branches

Hold in the gardens their silent， eloquent⁴ gestures，

Which in our case we have not got.

This is the safety-catch， which is always released

With an easy flick⁵ 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 backwards⁶ and forwards： we call this

Easing the spring. And rapidly backwards and forwards

The early bees are assaulting and fumbling⁷ the flowers：

They call it easing the Spring.

They call it easing the Spring； it is perfectly⁸ 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.

Henry Reed， 1914-1986