Today, we have naming of parts

Tending my tools

Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash

Henry Reed’s 1942 poem ‘Naming of Parts’ forms Part I of a six-poem collection called Lessons of the War, each a parody of British Army training during the Second World War. This line captures the routines of life—even in wartime. I’m taking this week off to tend to my tools. Next time.

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 to-day,
Today we have naming of parts. Japonica
Glistens like coral in all of the neighbouring gardens,
And today we have naming of parts.

Read or listen to "Lessons of War"