Ash Wednesday

Daddy's on the back porch playing with a blowtorch
Standing by the front door, Avon ladies for the poor
Meanwhile Mama smiles, "Get your lover down the aisle
Before he's gone"

Lisa says, "Don't cry, I'll bring you flowers when you die
I'll go to school in only black or maybe in a gunny sack
I'll get your friends to stand around and dance upon buried ground
On our front lawn

But don't you worry, I'm sure she's sorry
And doesn't mean that stuff about the aisle"


Chorus
Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posy
Ashes ashes, we all fall down


The test came back on Tuesday last just before our pseudo-fast
Lisa says, "It's heaven-sent, you can't give ice cream up for Lent"
Mama said I wouldn't last forty days
But maybe two

So I spent the day avoiding Mother, reading Dr. Joyce Brothers
Reading Where The Wild Things Are and some of Plath's Bell Jar
Reading Daddy's tax forms to see if it would be born
On Christmas Day

And I am not weeping, I think I'm keeping
A baby who will soon be half my age

Chorus

Quitting smoking is a must, ashes ashes dust to dust
Try to turn a new leaf, giving up pork and beef
Lisa says she'll buy me bras and maybe I should join a spa
Or take Lamaze

It's funny how you never know exactly when you're asked to grow
Exactly when you take the load or head up on your own road
Exactly which the day will be, maybe Ash Wednesday
Or Mardi Gras

So I will change 'cause I have changed
It's time to put these combat boots away

Chorus

Nerissa Nields © 1993 Peter Quince Productions, ASCAP

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