Woke up early that morning,
Ran my fingers through my hair
It came almost as a warning,
Not that much time left to spare.
Seems like it always needs a cut!
She never failed to say
Her twinkly eyes, the lively strut
As she walked, just walked away.
Never before had the pillow
Felt so heavenly under my head
Outside there howled the willow
Remember Mom that early May?
I curled there for a little while
I was almost a child again.
In my head, Tyler's smile
Begging please, don't yank my chain!
That was long before the time
Patty got all the highest marks,
The clock had a quirky chime
When it hit three, we strolled the park.
Quoted Oscar over breakfast,
And William over tea,
Talked a bit about the past,
She always was so kind to me!
Now in poked her freckled face,
Through the rusty, charred up door.
Sweet Mary, how out of grace
You have since fallen, you now snore!
Shut my eyes tight, I'm asleep, I swear
Couldn't shut my nostrils though.
She was so close, rocking on the chair
Smelled of home just like before.
Patty, there's this thing
That's been bugging me for ages.
That night he gave you the ring
Had you already read all those pages?
Her sigh came heavy and fast
She looked suddenly so very, very old.
Yes I had, she whispered at last
But I'd never doubted you'd be that bold
To me then rushed the remembrance
Of my quivering fingers, sticky with ink
The doorman was whistling at the entrance
Hey there son, I think you need a drink!
I'm quite alright, oh how I faltered!
Is Miss Briggins back? I have a letter,
Must get to her hands, I'm much too startled
Doorman laughs, Shall I give it to her?
In that case Patty, may I ask yet
Why you'd be his, and not my wife
There's no such thing as a safe bet
But I would've bet my life
(I really would've bet my life!)
Then you'd be nothing but dead,
She said staring at her nails
Her tone so cold, her face so red
Come downstairs, quit it with those tales!
Almost knocked over my hat
On her way out, such a hurry
Of course she meant none of that!
Yet you worry, why do you always worry?
Wanted to get up but laid quiet instead
Just do it now, while you still have the heart!
No, I won't taint with blood this bed
'Twas Tyler's, you always were oh so smart...
Tyler's there sitting on the swing
Back and forth, up and down
Wasn't it already long past spring?
Ah, must you alwayscarry that frown?
Lighten up, Stanton, come 'ere and push
I feel like I need greater momentum
So big a word in such a little mush!
Isn't it time you threw one of your tantrums?
Never before had the floor
Felt so cold under my feet
Go past the mirror, need it no more
Never there was a prospect so bleak
Downstairs I could hear laughter,
Funny, you're still going to wear a tie?
Only fitting for what came after
Had my smile always been this wry?