Gutters And Downpipes

It's always those who, while in shallow waters point out to others that they are, and give advice of how, and when and why to extricate yourself. Yet they are ignorant of all but downpipe scum, which, incidentally accumulates with patience like foul saliva, near the spout. And on most days the pipes are empty, sound hollow and exotic until the rains come down and race through all, a fleeting glimpse of intellect perhaps? Sadly, it's not to be, for, in the end both pipe and gutter sweat in the sun and glare with envy at garden hoses which are full of water.