Cotton Alley - Natalie Merchant

One time
you made me cry
be proud that I
remember

My chin is sore
the bruise is gone
but the spot is tender

Gave my hand
a sister coy
to Cotton Alley where
you did enjoy
your wicked games
you curious boy

Tied my laces up together
when I fell
you laughed
until your belly was sore

In the brick laid aisle behind
the five and dime store

That's how
I made you blush
but doubt if you
remember

Were my tears genuine
or those of a skilled
pretender?

Nothing precious
plain to see
don't make a fuss over me
not loud
not soft
but somewhere in between
say "sorry"
let it be the word you mean

I was a little pest who
never took a hint
could never take a hint

You pinched my fingers
in a door
tossed my coloring book in a
rusty barrel

Pulled spiders from my hair
fingers in the door

My favorite blue blouse
stained on the back
running from a berry war

Can you hear me scream
in Cotton Alley?

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