Houseboats

The fact will hardly be a surprise
That houseboats vary in shape and size;
Some so narrow and lacking in space,
There's hardly room to unpack a small case,
With beds to fold up to make room to walk through,
With cooking and washing facilities few.
In winter it's cold for the heating is poor;
At night you need sleep under blankets galore.
Others are huge, and more like a flat,
With bedrooms and bathrooms and everything that
You need to be comfortable when you're afloat,
No hardships attached, though you home is a boat.
There's hot and cold water on tap all day long,
A nice, spacious kitchen in which there belong
Everything needed for cooking in style,
A place you might well sit and gaze at a while.
The heating's superb, so the boat's never cold,
And winter's long fingers can never take hold.
In summer there's plenty of room to sit out,
Talking and drinking and looking about.
And if a warm summer should make you decide
You'd like to spend time in the quiet countryside,
There's no need to leave home; you can mimic a snail,
And take your home with you, as gently you sail,
Away from your mooring, and chug on your way,
Making the most of a bright sunny day.