If you train to sing then you
will no doubt learn a thing or two
about the diaphragm and lungs
and their affect on what is sung.

But, curiously, not a lot is
said about the epiglottis –
that little lid that shuts real neat
on the voice box when we eat.

Diction’ries call this little chap
‘A thin cartilaginous flap’
which stops all chance of food or beer
from entering our trachea.

So whether we can sing or not is
all down to the epiglottis:
If it’s up, we sing a treat –
but if it’s down, we’re trying to eat.

This dearth information what is
known about the epiglottis
goes a long way to explaining
why it’s not in singers’ training.