ODE TO MYSELF

I MAY CHAT OF WINE AND CHEER
WHEN I'M QUARTERED SAFE OUT HERE
AND I DIAL SOCIAL CALLS I MAY FORGET

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO "WAGES"
I NEED TO TALK TO SAGES
WHOSE WATER I WILL CARRY THOUGH THEY'RE "ALL WET"

NOW IN AMERICA'S SUNNY CLIME
WHERE I USED TO SPEND MY TIME
IN SERVICE TO A GOVERNMENTAL CROOK

I CLEANED TOILETS ON THE HOUR
OF AN ODOR PIQUANTLY SOUR
AND CLEANED UP LOCAL PARKS "BY THE BOOK"

NOW, WHEN I'M FEELING "SPITED"
AND WISH THE BALANCE RIGHTED-
STILL,THIS LACKEY WILL CARRY YOUR WATER FROM THE STREAM

JUST GIVE A CALL FOR 'CHUCK'
AND KNOW YOU'LL BE IN LUCK
YOUR DEFERENTIAL SERVANT WILL THEN FULFILL YOUR "DREAM"

I'LL BE FILLING BUCKETS NEAR A CREEK
CARRYING WATER FOR THOSE WHO SEEK-
OF THE WATER I'LL BE CARRYING: PLEASE TAKE YOUR FILL

I'LL BE SQUATTING NEAR THE SHOALS
GIVING DRINKS TO POOR DAMN SOULS
AND YOU CAN SURELY GET A SWIG FROM THIS "PILL"

AS YOU'VE "CHIDED ME AND SWAYED ME"
THERE'S NO NEED NOW TO PERSUADE ME
YOU'RE A KINDER MAN THAN I AM- AND KEENER, STILL