Stoplight Roses

You've practiced and rehearsed

But in your heart you know

It's too late.

Experience should tell you

Never get your story too straight.

You'd better steel yourself

And prepare for

Some blues to descend

'Cause you've broken something this time

Stoplight roses can't mend.

You've dusted off your shame face

In the mirror behind the bathroom door.

That little-boy-lost look

That used to work so well

Doesn't anymore.

If you believe your same-old used-to-be

Will see you through

You'll last about as long as stoplight roses do.

Stoplight roses

In their sad array.

Love's promise in cellophane lace

Or dead giveaway?

You'll need time to devise

A stylish plan

And you'll do it driving over to

The stoplight roses man.

And if you believe your same-old used-to-be

Will see you through

You'll last about as long as stoplight roses do.