I Used to Paint

How you remind me of the cretin, chained down in the basement, I beat and I feed him
Just enough to subdue and sustain him, so he doesn't perish, so there's no escaping
That is why I cherish and I hate you
I want to congratulate and berate you
Pepper every praise lengthways with aspersions
Douse every bouquet with a piss and a perfume

I used to paint
Now I flatten boxes in a carpark
I used to paint
Though I never was really еver any good

He was a real free spirit, giftеd with a sixth sense for discarded cigarettes
He could hit the b flat fifth for forgiveness, tabletop the food court, topple down the escalator
Panting out a breath bated with spearmint
Men are made through disappointed parents
Punish them with promises of a chef d'œuvre
Scalding crock of shit'll burn the hands of its server

I used to paint
Now I flatten boxes in a carpark
I used to paint
Now I just screw lids on in a factory
But I used to paint
Now I'm just another neurosurgeon
I used to paint
Though I never was really ever very good