I used to live in a flat with two girls

One was outgoing the other shy

We were all studying philosophy

Like most people I have a birthday

Once a year and it was a tradition

To make and serve tea to my flat mates


I took a cup of tea into Marty’s room

She was not aware of my gesture

As she had experienced a very heavy night

Marie was awake and sitting up in bed

She was wearing a blue cotton shirt

Which was very modest and revealed nothing


We chatted for a while and I was about to leave

When she climbed out of bed revealing her bottom

This surprised me as she was a very reserved girl

Who always locked the bathroom door unlike Marty

It was as she walked across the room that I noticed a tattoo

The tattoo was a likeness of a bowler hat much reduced


I asked Marie why she had consented to a tattoo on her bottom

She said it was okay as she had asked her bottom’s permission

I further enquired why the tattoo was that of a bowler hat

She smiled modestly and said that I was mistaken

As the likeness was that of a Blue Alsatian late of Poole  

It was a common error from those celebrating birthdays