In our back yard stood a brick Netty. Paper on a nail and it is not confetti. With a concrete roof and concrete floor, To keep it private a big wooden door. Cold and damp the outside loo, Shared by the flat upstairs to. This was our toilet on a cold winter day, A paraffin lamp to light our way. Cast iron cistern placed up high, Iron chain you pulled with a sigh. Pipes lagged with old carpet or sack, In severe winters they freeze and crack. Sometimes while sitting in the dim light, A silver trail would catch you eye, It was the sign of a snail passing bye. Follow this line along the wall, There you find one not always small. Pick it up from where it lay, Drop in to the *** and flush away. Winter fades into spring, Warmer dayβs new problems bring. Dad. He would sit reading the paper, While having a smoke. We waited outside it was no joke. Then out he came smiling, As he passed our way. Leaving his paper on the floor, We go in and close the door. The smell of smoke made us wail, While tearing up the paper, To put on the nail.