SENTIMENTAL REASONS

he could never say
quite what he meant
came out a bit odd
after years of "linamint"
applied to his tongue
night after night
just before and after
they had each fight

what she wanted
he just flaunted
her every wish as whim
keeping her in tears
for the next ten years

until one hot night
after another fight
as she packed her coat
and he scribbled a note
said something about

"sweetheart, I love you
forever without a doubt"

then her new tears
he switched gears
messing up some
he switched to rum
and another quick play
with some fool card

"Lover, I'm hard,
come play in my yard"

she refused today
pushed him away
they didn't make sense
swapping dollars for cents
no affection or sentiments

and maybe, for the lack
he went back
to the linny-mint
and watching her pack

you there, watch him stare
he figures tonight he might
miss her long, pretty hair
and she just doesn't care

out of rum, he looks for a pun
and once again they talk some
sentimental reasoning's begun
until both laugh and hug in fun

just so hard to hold my tongue
watching games of the young
remembering how I also clung

(c) 2004 E'Ullie Fitzhugh
aka Rennie Lorca