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OH, THE CITY YOU'LL SAVE!

By Frank Thomas Croisdale

I am the king of apathy,
I wish people would let me be.
I hate it here in Niagara Falls --
The people, the streets, the closed-up malls.

I hate it here this Cataract City --
The gloom, the doom, the dressed-down pity.
I hate it here in this faux world wonder --
The poor, the meek, all torn asunder.

I hate it here in Niagara County --
Bad views, no rides, not one damn Mountie.
I hate it here in old Lackey's folly --
The dead, the dumb and the cursed, by golly.

Say, say, I should leave.
Pack my bags, I'm so aggrieved.
I'm so aggrieved, I should just leave.
'Cause then the blame wouldn't fall on me.

Somewhere warm is where I'll go,
Where they never shovel snow,
No snow at the place where I'll go,
Just suntanned bodies surrounding me.

Maybe I will take a train,
Or hop onto an airplane.
A big jet plane, a choo-choo train --
Either one will work to set me free.

Maybe I will go by boat,
Or anything that will float.
Something that floats, a high-speed boat,
Will propel me far across the sea.

Won't you, won't you,
Oh won't you stay?
To help us, help us,
Help us find our way?

Will you, will you,
Will you reconsider?
Can't you, can't you,
Can't you lose what's bitter?

I won't, I won't,
I will not stay
To help you, help you,
Help you pave the way.

I shan't, I shan't,
I shall not reconsider
My hopes, my dreams
That have all turned bitter.

A project, a project,
A project's what you need.
To shield you, shield you
From corruption and greed.

A project to shield you
From corruption and greed.
A just cause to spur you,
Yes, that's what you need.

I don't need a project,
I don't want to be spurred.
Is my voice not working?
Oh, why can't I be heard?

I don't need a project,
Or your false empty words.
Just lead me to the airport,
Where I'll flee with the birds.

Engagement, engagement --
Yes, that's what you seek --
A new-look Niagara,
If you'll just take a peek.

Involvement, Involvement,
For as short as a week.
It's crazy, so crazy,
What you'll find when you seek.

I tell you, I tell you
I don't need a long week
To know that, to know that
There is nothing I seek.

You're crazy, you're crazy
Getting me all involved.
Engagement? Engagement?
This city should be absolved.

Say, won't you, won't you
With a friend?
Won't you lend a hand
With a friend?

Why don't you, don't you
Just pretend.
You'll see it, see it.
Just pretend.

I will not, will not
With a friend
I can't see it, see it
Or pretend.

Hey, would you, would you
With a child?
Would you just mentor
One small child?

No, not one small child.
Can't you see?
I will not mentor.
Let me be.

Oh, could you, could you
Save a dog?
Not change the world,
But save a dog?

Not one mangy dog,
Let me be.
I cannot save him,
Nor his fleas.

Not one lousy child,
Nor one mangy dog.
I won't be engaged,
I'd rather be flogged.

Not one foolish friend,
Not one wasted week.
We've got no paddle,
And we're up the creek.

This city is doomed,
Doomed, hear what I say!
I'm leaving by plane,
And I'm leaving today.

I'm headed out west --
Yes, count on that fact --
And when I leave,
I won't be coming back.

Do me one favor,
Before you just go:
Open your window,
Look out at the snow.

Now look at that child,
No hope on his face,
And remember when you
Walked in his place.

What if they'd all left,
The adults of your day,
Gotten on airplanes
And all moved away?

Flown to the West Coast,
Never to return,
Thrown a match on the city,
Saying, "Let it all burn."

Do you love Niagara?
Then get involved.
It needn't be big,
You can just start small.

Go tend a garden,
Or join a block club,
Walk to the soup line
And serve up some grub.

You won't be alone,
Others have taken the lead.
They found the hole
Where their help was the need.

They're saving our city,
Grassroots on up.
No need for glory,
Just a sip from the cup.

OK, OK, you win,
You've worn me down!
I don't want this apathy,
Take my crown!

I've seen the true light,
So let it be said,
"Long live our fair city,
the king is dead!"

March 2 would have been Theodor Seuss Geisel's 108th birthday.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss.

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com March 6 2012