The Census

Britain’s shepherd count her sheep Are they black or white or brindled Are they facing east or west Has the native stock now dwindled Do they bleat in English? Scots? Are there few or are there lots? Do they baa in Hindustani French or Gaelic, or Irani? Do they mix or stay apart? Who is dumb and who is smart? Is there still a need for rams To instruct the future’s lambs? Does each sheep stay in its pen? Does it leap the fence? Ah then, Sums go wrong. ‘Twould make you weep Census shepherds, counting sheep