XXX
"Sailing is such fun" they said
"You really ought to try it".
So when we saw a boat for sail
We knew we had to buy it.
We had to find a trailer too
And fix the car for towing,
We couldn't wait to sail our boat -
Much more fun than rowing.
We crawled along in a traffic jam
Roadworks of course,
When my map reading faltered
I heard mention of divorce.
At last we reached the lake -
Unhitched the boat from the car,
It took an age to rig it,
With sail and sheet and spar.
By the time we'd finished,
the brisk breeze had abated,
After hours of perfect calm
We knew our trip was fated.
We tried again next morning,
By the time we were through
The wind had greatly freshened
And at a steady Force 9 blew.
The happened time and time again
For the man hours that we spent
I'm sure it would be cheaper
A brand new yacht to rent.
At least now I know what
His next birthday gift will be
A 500 h.p. out-board
To end this misery!
To P.
Summer 1994
