jokers and harlots and silly me

if only they had taught me to look the other way
but they didn't, they taught me to be strong
and be myself, and respect and be respectful
and believe I would be respected
oh, why didn't they teach me that respect doesn't warrant
respect
that love does not breed love
that giving everything you have
does not mean
one will give you
a
flower?
maybe, maybe, just maybe
I wouldn't feel so darn lonely