I Used to Sing

I used to sing, powder and curls
For the fathers, the mothers, the boys and the girls
I used to sing, with the pearliest smile
With my heart on my sleeve, though I knew all the while
That I used to sing, as it made my heart fly
Made it lift like a feather to float at my side
Not heavy, not tired, not a prize, not admired
Just a sweet melody that was mine

I used to sing
I used to sing
La da da da da da da da da
I used to sing
I used to sing
La da da da da da da da da

I used to talk, and I used to cry
I used to take lovers and love them, and I
Used to carry my weight
With saturnine grace
Apply shocking pink to my unphotographed face

And then I used to sing, for the weak and the ill
For the browning hibiscus on the windowsill
Dispersing like breath in desiccated air
Barely noticed and then barely there

I used to sing
Ah...ah...ah...ah