How To Keep Yourself Sick

Tell us you love authenticity
and sugarcoat it well
Tell us you love to laugh a lot
so we’ll fall into a spell 

Tell us you will call us soon
Tell us you will write
Tell us anything it takes
So we believe you might 

Make promises all day and night
about dreams you’d like to do
and tell us all the funny things
so we’ll believe its true 

And when you see us around town
or in a church pew aisle
make sure you show and grit your teeth
and spread your lips and smile 

Or better yet, just laugh out loud
throw arms up in the air
Laughter’s always sounded better
when falling out of chairs

Don’t worry about the silly things
like school and work and friends
and if you ever hurt someone
no need to make amends
 
Just sleep all day and laugh all night
and smile for all to see
For you have earned your keep today
We’ll nod forgivingly

Keep some secrets deep inside
and lock them with a key
and hide behind a mask of joy
and wear it secretly
 
so no one knows and no one sees
the things you locked away
And don’t forget if someone asks
to tell them you’re okay 

Make sure you never keep a pledge
but say you give your word
And in a world of strong oak trees
keep yours a flying bird

that never lands and never stops
and never bats an eye
that never opens up its heart
or sheds a tear to cry

One final word of good advice
to help you remain sick
is build a wall around your life
and cement it closed with brick

Let no one in, let no one help
let no one make you well
The best advice is laugh out loud
so you’ll fade into your spell.