Grammar Series: THE PASSIVE VOICE In Italy a glorious Voice was employed by Pavarotti In England we've a different voice we employ with verbs of action But the way we do, the logic seems not a little dotty For the verbs can be voiced in the PASSIVE, which sounds like a contradiction or infraction Just consider: if someone is being active There is something that someone is doing And you'd think that being passive Means that doing they are eschewing But we need not be hopeless or cynical Say it' s just British illogic or insanity We'll be annoyingly rational and clinical Causing foreigners to express profanity However you parse it or say it While in both voices something is done In the ACTIVE we say who did it But in PASSIVE might not say which one So in solving a murder for the fun of it And answering: "Who fired the gun?" We need not assume it was the butler who 'dun of it' But inscrutably say: somehow it was done Therefore the PASSIVE is my voice of choice For my deeds despicable or infractive But for actions worth merit that I rejoice I will gladly indulge in the ACTIVE.