I learned the truth at seventeen That love was meant for beauty queens And high school girls with clear skinned smiles Who married young and then retired. The valentines I never knew The Friday night charades of youth Were spent on ones more beautiful At seventeen I learned the truth. And those of us with ravaged faces Lacking in the social graces Desperately remained at home Inventing lovers on the phone Who called to say come dance with me and murmured vague obscenities It isn't all it seems At seventeen. A brown eyed girl in hand me downs Whose name I never could pronounce said, Pity please the ones who serve They only get what they deserve. The rich relationed hometown queen Married into what she needs A guarantee of company And haven for the elderly.
