Allons Nous

Bertha, the place is burning, burning,
And it's just as well--
You were never happy here.

Come down off the roof, girl.
We will glide across the wet lawn like two foaming new ghosts--
Fresh as morning.

Sugar,
You will not miss
The grim-faced help bringing tainted chicken soup.
You will not miss
All the new wives with their tiresome luggage.
You will not even miss your husband--
He loved his dog better than you.

Madwoman nothin'.
Come, we'll hit the early sales.
Whatever it is,
I will kiss it better.
Whatever it is,
There's an endorphin for that.

Bertha, the place is burning, burning,
And yet the outside air is so sweet--
Dearie, you were never any madder
Or one bit crazier
Than me.
________

for Willow's Magpie 25

________

Folie A Deux

Everyone deserves to be happy

Including you,

My peach.

So if you want to bring your Sweet Jane around,

That's fine.

That's jussssst

Fine.

In fact,

If you like her so much

Why don't you marry her?

Oh.

There is that.

I do try, you know--

To keep myself up...

To make myself attractive to you...

But,

When you padlock the door like that,

I can't get to the salon.

And oh,

Let one measly set of drapes catch fire

And everybody's twitchy for a week.

I was only trying

To let some daylight in.

I was only trying

To snap everybody out of their comas

And that tiresome English reserve.

Go ahead,

Have your little schoolmarm.

I could probably even do something with this attic;

I've begun by

Embossing your wedding invitations

On the wall

With my fingernails.

Can't we please be friends?

If I smile and extend my hand,

Would you waltz me just this once

For old time's sake again?

Oh, darling,

Look at me!

I don't know how I got here, on the roof!

Behold my charity,

My forgiveness, and my love--

The last you'll ever see.

____________