The councilman was adamant:

‘The Law must have its way,

The shed you built is not approved

It must come down today.’

 

‘No doubt the shed is safe and strong

And no one has complained,

But plans and rules must bind us all

Or anarchy will reign.’

 

The old man clenched his horny hands,

He gripped the planner’s arm,

Then changed his mind and led him out

To look around the farm.

 

‘You see that shed?’ The old man said,

With shingle roof and wattle wall.

‘With no advice from coots like you

My Grandpa built it all.’

 

‘He came out here from Birmingham

With no help from the Crown,

Without a passport or a card

He sailed to...