I've noticed it's the simple things
that always made me smile.
The happiness that laughter brings.
To sport the latest style.

Fishing with the kids
or lighting a cigar.
A girl with painted eyelids.
Working on my car.

To watch a Shirley Temple
light up her first smoke,
or laughing at a pimple
on the butt end of a joke.

Now my life's a mess.
Excess, stress, and drama.
Disappointment,  pain, duress,
only broken by the comma.

I can see it in the mirror
when my smile sneers back.
Hairs in my ear.
A hunch in my back.

Forgotton things tucked away
I've forgotton to forget
haunt me 'til this very day.
(they even aggravate my pet)

They've destroyed my sense of humor.
I was once a funny guy.
Now I'm laughing at a tumor
from behind a blind eye.

The problems piled up.
I've stripped too many gears.
Now I'm old and riled up
and could use a couple beers.

Calm the nerves.
Sooth the edges.
See.
It's working already.
Couple Benson and Hedges
I'll be rock solid.
Steady.

Couple pills to fix my back.
I live in chronic pain.
Couple pills for heart attack.
Couple pills for migraine.

Couple more for good measure
and I'm headed out the door,
but my search for simple pleasure
ain't so simple anymore.