Water Towers

From where I sit I can see a water tower
hiding behind the urban hill

In the county of Kent
another water tower tries to hide from me

But I have studied these towers for many years
and know their habits

English Mother
German Father  

I grew up speaking two languages
Which confused me
As I did not have a favourite

When I was at university
I met a girl called Cherry
Who spoke only one language

During the first year of our marriage
I taught her German
And she soon became bilingual

Our children now speak both languages
And like me do not have a favourite
Although they are less confused

Fucked Off

When I was growing up in London
In the nineteen-fifties
I often saw notices which read
No Blacks
No Irish
No Dogs
This really fucked me off as I was a
Black
Irish
Wolfhound