Narrowboat Man

Sitting on a deckchair too small for his giant frame

The sun beats down on a belly laid bare

His jack Russell yaps at strangers passing by

He’s the captain of a boat called he who dares

He has a flag of England on a homemade pole

I watched him give it several waves

I noticed a small sticker on a window

With a slogan saying Jesus saves

He has a weather beaten face

And eyes that say keep away

He’s a firework waiting for the match

He doesn’t have much to say

Narrowboat man

Libertarian views

Always loved Thatcher

Never worn shoes

Because he thinks he can stand

on his own two feet.

Narrowboat man

Distantly banal

It’s what keeps him afloat.

On the Shropshire Union Canal

©JMcN2018