Everlasting No

Charley stands on the block
In a shoe and one grey sock
I try to care
But that never gets you anywhere
So I sit in this booth
Drinking slow, divining truth
And the long, long way to go
To the everlasting no

From her fire escape seat
Miranda guards the street
While on her bed,
newborn baby lays its head
It's a boy it's a girl
It's one more chump against the world
With a long, long way to go
All for that everlasting no

I had breakfast with my father
In a downtown luncheonette
And we sat and eyed each other
With suspicion and regret
Then I walked down to the river
Where the boats would pitch and woo
And the river said "Forgive her”
I could swear it said "Forgive her”
But it wouldn't tell me who

Had no fear, had no doubt
Had this racket all scammed out
real hard case
Then I chanced to look upon your face
It's a gift, it's a curse
Either way, it 's getting worse
But so hard to let it go
To your everlasting no