Dory Previn Lemon Haired Ladies
Whatever you give me
I'll take as it comes
discarding self-pity
I'll manage with crumbs
I'll settle for moments
I won't ask for life
I'll not expect labels
like lover or wife
if showing affection
embarrasses you
I will not depend
and I will not pursue
for you are
younger than I
younger than I
younger than I
and i am
wiser than you
the one a.m. phone calls
you're here then you're gone
come when you need me
I won't carry on
I'll simply accept you
the way that you are
unsure and unstructured
my door is ajar
those lemon haired ladies
of twenty or so
of course you must see them
just don't let me know
don't let me know
whatever you do
for you are
younger than I
younger than I
younger than I
and I am
weaker than you
I'll give you a year
maybe two
maybe three
then what will happen?
where will I be?
you'll still be a boy
but what about me?
what about me?
what about me?
why must you treat me
with so little care
I've so much inside me
I'm aching to share
why am I constant
to someone like you?
children don't know
the meaning of "true"
those lemon haired ladies
why must you seem them?
all that I want in your eyes
is to be them
time is on their side
that's all I lack
I wish you would just
go away
no
come back
come back
go away
come back
go away
what in hell can I do?
I'm supposed to be wise
for I am
older than you
older than you
you so self-centered
the games that you play
do as you please
you will anyway
of course you will see them
no use to pretend
for they are
younger than I
younger than I
those lemon haired ladies
and they will
win in the end.
