When holding close a tiny child
When dressed in whiteness undefiled
Or when one’s love is on his knees
Why is it then one wants to sneeze?
When in a church in silent prayer
When combing tangles from one’s hair
When eating oysters with a toff
Why is it then one has to cough?
When visiting one’s aunt for tea
Or browsing in the library
Or contemplating lovely art
Why does one always need a fart?
In contemplation or elation
When one moves above one’s station
As some kind of celestial frown
One’s body always lets one down
The Leveller
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