1981
Mr. Want came by today.
He said, “How do you do?”
I saw a dress down at the store
And it’s just right for you.
“A touch of lace around the neck,
A perfect shade of green!
Oh, you will look so beautiful!
So calm and so serene.”
Then Mr. Should dropped by to chat.
“Oh, please, don’t listen to him!
He wants to spend your money
On any and every whim!”
“Just save, save, save- no matter what-
For there may come the day
When the car breaks down or the rent is due,
And you haven’t the money to pay!”
“You must work hard for all you get
And never spend a nickel.
Mr. Want wants everything
And he is just plain fickle!”
Then Mr. Want and Mr. Should
Began to yell and scream,
Until I hollered louder than both.
I said, “Let’s be a team!”
“Oh, Mr. Want and Mr. Should,
do come together- please.
Mr. Should- don’t be so cold,
and Mr. Want- don’t tease!”
“Would it be so terrible
If you two compromise?
I know it won’t be difficult
If each of you both tries.”
“Make what I should have be what I want
By reasoning my wants through.
I’ll choose to want what’s best for me-
That’s not to hard to do.”
“There may be a day when a dress is just right,
Or even a new pair of shoes.
But I’ll reason it through, both my wants and my should,
And I’ll be the one who will choose!”
So good-bye, Mr. Want- you, too, Mr. Should.
I’m glad that you both came around
You’ve taught me a lesson I won’t soon forget,
And a new part of me has been found.
(Coming soon- Mr. Compromise and Mr. Reason- ha!)