Cotton Alley - Natalie Merchant
One time
you made me cry
be proud that I
remember
My chin is sore
the bruise is gone
but the spot is tender
Gave my hand
a sister coy
to Cotton Alley where
you did enjoy
your wicked games
you curious boy
Tied my laces up together
when I fell
you laughed
until your belly was sore
In the brick laid aisle behind
the five and dime store
That's how
I made you blush
but doubt if you
remember
Were my tears genuine
or those of a skilled
pretender?
Nothing precious
plain to see
don't make a fuss over me
not loud
not soft
but somewhere in between
say "sorry"
let it be the word you mean
I was a little pest who
never took a hint
could never take a hint
You pinched my fingers
in a door
tossed my coloring book in a
rusty barrel
Pulled spiders from my hair
fingers in the door
My favorite blue blouse
stained on the back
running from a berry war
Can you hear me scream
in Cotton Alley?