My breath paints opaque on the drab, teary window

As I watch the umber monster lunk and lumber down the lane

 

All flash bang glamour and neon safety signs

Leaving behind macerated kerbs of sod and shimmering puddles

 

Scuttling behind are three ludicrous, papaya tinged workers

Swearing and sighing and singing rude songs

 

One guides a hose from the beast to the gaping, gurgling maw of the drain

 While two drowned rats smoke and supervise

 

A simple sign impels a guttural roar from the dismal juggernaut

Scattering cats and waking the village from its bucolic slumber

 

The beast drinks long from the effluence and precipitation

The blockage soon vanquished by its horsepower and suction

 

One of the gentleman hoists a sepia pad like a trophy and proclaims

'It was the jamrag what done it'

 

The sewage filled dragon ceases its flames and shudders

Then rolls on down the muddy road

 

The men follow like chained servants

Swearing and singing and waiting for dark.