SLEEPING BUM

He was the one
quick with a pun
and jokes you stole for your "lines."
Words in your way,
he knew what to say,
his wit sketches for your designs,
but when you learned of his
diminished condition,
you said that he'd put himself
in that position.
That's no way to treat someone
you admire –
that's like setting a sleeping bum
on fire.

He's someone you knew
would accept you
for what you let nobody know,
when you'd need a dose
of feeling so close
you felt naked not making a show,
but when your looks ceased
to give you protection,
you spewed self-loathing
in his direction.
That's no way to treat someone
you desire –
you're just setting a sleeping bum
on fire.

Someday, your career
will just disappear;
forsaken, your life will look grim.
Down your luck,
boy, will it suck
to find yourself looking like him.
Compared to you, now,
he looks like a winner –
get drunk and ruin his
happy birthday dinner.
That's no way to act when
conditions are dire –
you could be the
sleeping bum on fire.

That's no way to treat someone you admire –
that's like setting a sleeping bum on fire.

© 2012 Steve Fitch
Published by My Music by Me Music (BMI)