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Mom Said, No, I Said, Why?

by Barry Louis Polisar

on Stanley Stole My Shoelace and Rubbed it in His Armpit and other Songs My Parents Won't Let Me Sing (1982)

Mom said, "no," I said, "why?"
She told me not to cry
Tears came down, I said, "please"
She told me to get off my knees

I said, "I had to," She said, "Oh"
I said, "I need to," She said, "So."
I said, "Try to sympathize."
She said, "No," to no surprise.

I said, "later?" She said, "No."
I said I'd run away, she said, "Go."
I said, "maybe?", Then I asked again.
She was silent, so I said, "When?"

She said I was just a pest,
So I called Daddy and he said, "yes."