HE TELLS HER

He tells her that the earth is flat-
He knows the facts, and that is that.
In altercations fierce and long
She tries her best to prove him wrong.
But he has learned to argue well.
He calls her arguments unsound
And often asks her not to yell.
She cannot win. He stands his ground.

The planet goes on being round.

Differences of Opinion by poet Wendy Cope, from the February 2006 edition of Poetry.

All issues of Poetry going back to October 1912 are accessible on the Poetry Foundation website.