hello we've come to study poverty
no you can't hold towards me that candle!
it's how you manage to 'live'  at all
on which I want to get a handle

oh I got a drinker to add on here
number five thousand and fifty three
don't amalgamate panadol junkies
with this one produced by me

and separate the gamblers
and those who take a smoke
and by the time we've counted up a group
we should have a bead on the average poor bloke

and you know they could be just like us
on fifty grand a year
I propose, professor, an extension
as the end of the study is near

there was a bunch of coloured flimsy things
in water in a jar
if she spends her time philandering like this
she won't get very far

I wonder! can we say 'lazy'?
is it one of the words we use?
no... I don't think we can say that
I've had a good peruse

they already know what indolent means
and bludger was regimes before
just say unemployed for now
what's in through that door?

that's where old herbert sometimes crashes 
kicked out by his niece he said
so it might be better if we let him sleep
would our room do instead?

uh uh you knew we were coming 
we told you the other day
but we'd like to see old herbert's room
before we leave today

would you like a cuppa?
and some home-made hedgehog too
or if you're feeling really peckish
you'd have a bit of lunch, wouldn't you

no, we'll eat in a predictable kitchen
approved by a local health board
I suppose you have to cook at home
it's all you can afford

yes well we've had our tough times
oh I think herbert's waking up
just sit down, move the volumes
while I russell him up a cup

this room is disgusting
even the bed's unmade!
take a look why the poor have poverty
and can never make the grade

there you go, here's ya cuppa herb
a cold night? too many tinnies?
your lunch'll be ready in a tick mate
and I'll walk you down to vinnies

herbert these folk are doing poverty
meet herbert, he's pretty poor
you look familiar....?  uncle bert! 
I edged towards the door

I thought the whole thing over
and the place wasn't all that crass
what if you were to board uncle bert!
at last I see you with my candle, my lass!



this copyright means that I think the work is important
it is not a threat to you should you copy the words
you may
it is a tactic for keeping them intact, in tact
and read
2003 robbo (bob tatnell)