It only takes a knee to comfort a child, To receive a knighthood, To listen to a god - to be inspired; Just a knee for grouting around tiles, To ask a girl if she will, To loosen bolts and change tyres; Perhaps two for French cricket, To warm a lamb as its fed, To chase mice, all smooth and sleekit. It only takes a knee placed very precisely To stop a man’s breath, To fully express centuries of othering.