Shallow now our rivers flow

Trees are dying, reservoirs low

Standpipes threatened, share a bath

Even Grandma finds that a laugh.

The flowers are wilting, brown the grass

Will this heatwave ever pass?

Relentless sun in sky clear blue

Treat your hair to a dry shampoo.

Ban on hosepipes, carry the can

Be a green type Englishman

Forget your wellies, don sunhat

Watch your body's thermostat.

Take great interest in weather news,

Save on water, drink more booze

Tempers fray as we overheat

Would a prayer for rain be indiscreet?

I raise mine eyes up to the sky

Please God is my fervent cry.

Next day I wake to sound of rain

Gurgling 'gainst my windowpane.

But are thanks due to the Almighty?

Our ways are quaint here in Blighty

Of course it's raining, needless to say

It's our customary August Bank Holiday Beryl Jones,

Mill Hill Cottages, Rivington

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.