You Can't Rely on Fingernails

You can rely on religion
Or government if you please
You can rely on sunshine
Or even the Calabrese

You can rely on mail
In rain or shine or snow
You can rely on boy scouts
To say a friendly hello

But you can’t rely on fingernails
They’ll tell you to sod off
And just when you need them,
They’ll toss a Molotov
You can’t rely on fingernails
To stay pretty and clean
But you can rely on me

You can rely on taxes
They’ll be here every year
You can rely on Hollywood
To fill your mind with fear

You can rely on shadows
To follow you around
You can rely on car keys
To remain unfound

But you can’t rely on fingernails
They’ll tell you to sod off
And just when you need them,
They’ll toss a Molotov
You can’t rely on fingernails
To stay pretty and clean
But you can rely on me

Fingernails don’t care
If you’re in pain
Fingernails don’t mind
If you lose the page
Of a great book
you’ve
Been reading for a week
OUCH!
Fingernails don’t care
When you’re strumming

And you can’t rely on fingernails
They’ll break and be chewed
You have to admit that
They are ever so rude
You can’t rely on fingernails
To get you through your day
But you can rely on me


This song was inspired by my apartment mate, Sheva, whose random comment proved her wisdom beyond her years. Furthermore, she helped get me out of a serious bout of Writer's Block. I think the message of finding people who you can trust is an important one. I also have to give props to my Creative Writing classmates and Mr. Sanchez who helped workshop this piece and I think really brought out its true colors. I just love the sound of the word, "Calabrese." Just don't ask me to find Calabria on a map . . .