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lyrics

It's Easy to Be Normal
for Brent

I can pass for normal if I really try. I put on deodorant, and it seems to help.
Just yesterday, someone asked me for the time, and I said, "1:36,"
even though I always carry a sprig of the herb in my pocket
in case that question comes up. It's easy to be normal.

A husky voiced phone survey woman asked, "Sex?"
I told her, "Male." Just like that. At the grocery store, though,
I lost it. The bagger inadvertently brushed my hand and said,
"Paper or plastic?" I said, "It's skin. Isn't that normal?"

Most of the time, if I concentrate,
I can ignore all those variant
meanings that come to mind,
and figure out what others want from me.

Isn't that what normal is,
doing what others expect instead of being who I am?
The most important thing is to try to be like everybody else.
My biggest problem, perhaps, is I don't watch television.

In polite conversation, I have found it helps
to nod often, even if nothing makes sense.
I probably shouldn't even talk
about peppers. When the waiter asks,
 
"Ground pepper?" I say, "Yes, please." Simple enough.
The problem comes when he says, "Just say when."
I usually say nothing. When he gets tired, he walks away.
What I want to say is, "Whenever the grinder is empty."

Lately, I have started to carry
my own bottle of pepper sauce
for places where ketchup is the only
condiment. It makes things easier.

I wonder if anybody really is normal,
if everybody is nodding because nothing makes sense.
I think I could fit in if we all stopped pretending,
but then people take too much too seriously.

I could be normal, if it paid enough, but it’s truly overrated.
It’s certainly no way to raise children. I guess I should spend more time
worrying about how things look. Also, it would help,
to occasionally be on time, but then there is always

that poem I am working on that won't let me go.
Somehow, I get by. I have a good life, I must say.
There is really no reason to change,
unless, of course, I spill hot sauce on my shirt.

credits

from Into Light: The Poems of M. D. Friedman, released January 1, 2024

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Mad Dog Friedman | Mad Dog Blues | Peddlers of Joy image

Mad Dog Friedman | Mad Dog Blues | Peddlers of Joy Lafayette, Colorado

Mad Dog writes from the moment and sings from his heart. His influences include sources as divergent as William Butler Yeats & the delta blues. His songwriting is sincere, simple & often humorous. He has recorded many solo & collaborative projects featuring his spontaneous compositions on harmonica, Native American flute & Theremin. He is also the founder of Mad Dog Blues & The Astral Project. ... more

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