@boomerang,
Found this:
Who Am I
(Prior/Kemp)
Riddles are one of the oldest forms of literature. The Saxons were very keen o nthem, and the number of cryptic crosswords printed today attest to their continuing popularity. For the answer to this riddle you need to look to the North of England and not be distracted by two year's growth. For me this encapsulates a dedication to fundamental earthlines.
He's my baby and I prize him
I've kept him in his bed
Till he was two years grown.
I've fed him on ox blood
An dry bone-meal
And now he is ready to be shown
Who am I?
From his plate up to his button
His body is pure white
And full six inches long.
He stands proud with rest,
Puts flags out east and west
, With a crown of green herring-bone
Who am I?
I show him to neighbours
Who auction him away,
But I buy him back again.
I chop up his children
And feed them to my own
As he shivers out in the winter rain.
Who am I?