Contagious

[Wjames]

You’re always in a laughing mood
while I’m a bitter selfish brood
who hung his manners on a shelf,
your smile makes me hate myself.

I watched you hand a bum some bread
while I was swigging Saigon Red
and toasting to my perfect health,
your kindness makes me hate myself.

I’ll slowly turn you into me
so we can both stare bitterly
at all the folks who kindly help
the likes of us to hate ourselves.