WITHOUT MY FRIENDS
(Hali Hammer)

I could be without a cent, wondering how to pay the rent
Eating leftovers of leftovers I’d saved
I could live by candlelight when the budget was too tight
And the P G & E bill could not be paid (could not be paid)
I could wear my clothes so old that the fibers wouldn’t hold
Up to any kind of push or pull or bends
But I would retain my smile and put up with that awhile
If I shared all of those moments with my friends
     With my friends I’d be all day, ‘specially if I had no pay
     Who knows what the day would bring without my friends

In the desert I could be, cactus spikes all over me
Just a-dowsing for some water in the ground
Or stuck out on the sea, sharks floating around me
Pre-feeding frenzy, circling all around
I could be stuck in a swamp with the gators going chomp
As they licked their lips while quicksand ‘round me rose
But if I was with my friends, they would save me in the end
And we’d celebrate and dance upon our toes
     With my friends I’d prance and sing, and we’d laugh at everything
     Who knows what the day would bring without my friends

I could be stuck in a pot with the water getting hot
While some cannibals were cooking up their chow
Watching carrots, peas and beets float by as they file their teeth
And I salt the broth with sweat dropped from my brow
I could savor each small breeze as the pepper made me sneeze
With the other spices added to the grub
But if my friends were with me, we’d have camaraderie
And we’d sing a song of three in a hot tub
     We’d get out of stews so hot
     Then we’d share the cooking pot
     I’m so lucky that I’ve got all of my friends!