They say that humpback whales
Emit a humming sound to
Talk with one another as they’re
Swimming around.
I’ve never met a whale, but I know
Uncle Brenner, who speaks with all
His buddies in a very strange manner.
One night I overheard them as they
Were playing poker. My ears refused
to acknowledge what those adults
Were doing, for I knew it was rude and
Vulgar to be root-rooty-tooting.
His sound, like that of whales, had started
Off quite soothing, but soon, it had grown
Louder, and everyone was swooning.
He was the reigning champion; I knew this
Without asking. Somebody praised his asshole,
My uncle went on basking.
A couple of weeks later, running in the
Playground, dumb Bobby started laughing
Because he heard my sound. Quite red
With indignation, I busted his front tooth
And told him he’d soon beg me to learn
To rooty-toot.
Since then I’ve formed my own group of
Gifted fart-emitters. We all speak, and speak
Often, using our well-honed rears.
Julieta Corpus
I do not go in search of poetry. I wait for poetry to visit me.
Eugenio Montale
