Fleas

My father used to say

You sleep with dogs, the next day

You'll wake in the night scratching

Those inevitable fleas

At ten years old

You listen to what you're told

But I never have the itch

I never would

Mother had forbidden me

To waste away my life

I want you to have all the things

I could never buy you

Don't stop what

I'd begunYou're my one my only son

Follow what

I say not what

I've doneFollow what

I say not what

I've doneShower, scrub, and shave

Cleanly boys don't misbehave

Follow what

I say, not what

I've done