Stevie Smith. Mrs. Simpkins  

Mrs. Simpkins never had much to do
So it occurred to her one day that the Trinity wasn’t true
Or at least but a garbled version of the truth
And that things had moved very far since the days of her youth.  
So she became a spiritualist and at her very first party
Just to give her a feeling of confidence the spirit spoke up hearty:
‘Since I crossed over dear friends’ it said ‘I’m not different to what I was before  
Death is not a separation or alternation or parting it’s just a one-handled door
We spirits can come back to you if your seance is orthodox
But you can’t come over to us till your body’s shut in a box
And this is the great thought I want to leave with you today
You’ve heard it before but in case you forgot death isn’t a passing away  
It’s just a carrying on with friends relations and brightness  
Only you don’t have to bother with sickness and there’s no financial tightness.’
Mrs. Simpkins went home and told her husband he was a weak pated fellow
And when he heard the news , he turned a daffodil shade of yellow  

‘What do you mean, Maria?’ he cried, ‘it can’t be true there’s no rest  
From one’s uncles and brothers and sisters nor even the wife of one’s breast?’
‘It’s the truth’ Mrs. Simpkins affirmed, ‘there is no separation
There’s a great reunion coming for which this life’s but a preparation.’

This worked him to such a pitch that he shot himself through the head  
And now she has to polish the floors of Westminster County hall for her daily bread.