Uncle Malcolm
never married
Bought a house in Carlton
round the turn of the century
without electricity
or running water

Uncle Malcolm
never had a job
Invented ink in his spare time
Sold the patent
to Collies
who made a mint

Uncle Malcolm
walked to the cemetery
every morning
to fill a bucket
from a tap
by the gate

Uncle Malcolm
didn't have a bath
When Mum laid him out
she said his skin
was beautiful
and soft like a baby...

Alison Cassidy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/uncle-malcolm/