DESCRIPTION:
from the cd "Tempting: Jenny Toomey Sings the Songs of Franklin Bruno" (Misra Records 2002). Written by Franklin Bruno, originally appears on Bruno's Etudes for Voice and Snackmaster (Shrimper cassette).


He can barely string 2 words together.
He can barely get his point across.
You hold up both ends of the conversation.
And help him every time he's at a loss.

He won't hurt you.
He won't desert you.
But still, you're not required to bend to his will.
But who am I to begrudge you happiness?

He can barely form a compound sentence.
He can barely state his case at all.
But every time he wants you to come over,
You're there before he gets a chance to stall.

He doesn't beat you.
He doesn't treat you as cruel as those people that you dated in school.
Who am I to begrudge you happiness?
Without him?
With your inarticulate boyfriend?

Why don't you take up ventriloquism?
Why don't you just set him on your knee?
And make him say you're everything he wanted?
Make him pledge his love grammatically?

You say i cheapen the love that's deepened through time.
Now is that such an unspeakable crime?
Who am I to begrudge you...
It's not my place to judge you.
Who am I to begrudge you happiness?