-Apply Within in '53

I made the decision to Apply Within.

I was too young at the time to do most anything,
but I needed some money to get the thing my mother said

I didn’t need and my father said I should listen to my mother.

the thing was too inviting to resist, but I needed some cash to get it,––

to get it from that place downtown and into the house.

this thing, this item I longed for wasn't produced for left-handed kids,

or kids my age, or recommended for kids susceptible to constant scrutiny.

complicated assembly may be required, but I assumed maybe not.

they said it’s too big.

they said it will never fit.

that it’s poisonous if swallowed, but there’s no need to hide it under the sink.

so I walked inside to Apply Within, but the guy said: "Get the hell outta here kid"!

so I didn’t get the thing I didn't need which cost too much.

but I did make the effort to Apply Within which qualified me to participate

in solidarity with the gathering of day-workers at the family's backyard

Labor Day festivities.