THE KNOCK-OFF LIFE

I used to wear a Rolex Watch
but these days I wear a fake
It tells the time like Timex does
And if that watch should break

I take it and put it in
my nice Louis Vuitton
A handbag that is bogus too
Perhaps made in Hong Kong

I used to own originals
But I'm from NYC
and when I rode The E or F
As far as I could see

Were women of all size and shapes
who carried the same bag
When status goes pedestrian
It isn't hard to brag

One day I put my earrings on
my diamonds – the real thing
I lost one down the sewer grate
'Twas then I felt the sting

I took my other earring off
I held it for a while
An older lady looked at me
and gave a rueful smile

"You may not want to hear this dear,
But labels come and go
And happiness is an inside job
The outside – just for show

Don't let yourself get fooled until
you think you are your stuff."
I smiled and tried to be polite
but I had heard enough.

"Hey – lady that was Grandma's ring
She loved with heart and soul
And if I could I'd fish it out
I'd use a ten foot pole;

And as for all your sage advice
It's sanctimonious
Forgive me and get out of here
Or I'll begin to cuss"

A label doesn't mean a thing
If your inside is bare
But when I lose a diamond stud
I still can't help but care

So though I put my jewels away
And even my Cross Pen
My Gucci Pucci St Laurent
I plan to wear again

Not only in my living room –
But outside – just for show
And if I live a knock off life
no-one will ever know.