Riley

Riley
 is looking like a ghost in the window

It’s cracked down the pane like spiders legs


Or a river’s veins in Idaho

We’re moving out of Aberdeen


To some avenue in Coeur d’Alene


Where grandpa is from


And it will be fun

If everyone
 would not complain

I think I’ll go join the army

Maybe I’ll buy a monkey

Or take up smoking, baby


Cause I don’t want to leave


I’ll marry you for the money

Don’t take it personally

Loving someone like you is just too normal for me

Riley, my Riley


Naive, aren’t you baby

Riley, my Riley

You scream, "You're not normal"

It’s evening

It’s perfect


So bloody boring to me


So much that I’ve gone numb


And to stir it up


I wish aliens would abduct somebody

I think I’ll go join the army

Maybe I’ll buy a monkey

Or take up smoking baby

One of these days


I’ll paint the house purple

Not daunted by other people

You’re dull if you follow rules

And whatever they say

Riley, my Riley


Naive, aren’t you baby


Riley, my Riley,

You scream, “You’re not normal!”

Middle of your dreams and you are


Tired of me already


I know you’re just asleep


But it’s hard to listen frankly


You keep screaming, “I’m not with you. I’m not with you,”


You keep screaming, “You're not normal. You’re not normal!”

I think I’ll go join the army

Maybe I’ll buy a monkey

Or take up smoking baby


And call your bluff


But maybe the ending’s happy

Maybe you doubt it highly

Maybe I’ll marry Riley


If I’m normal enough

©2005 Megan Slankard