Growing up in da city...
Our sayings were always witty...
We don’t mean nobody no harm...
So go away if your attitude is sh/tty...

My grandmother used to say them...
My parents said them, too...
My aunts and uncles said them...
So did everyone else I knew...

Where Ya’at, alleycat...
See you later, alligator...
After while, crocodile...
Okie dokie, artichokie...
Blow your horn, unicorn...
How you do, muthareaux...
Dey so garish in da parish...
Don’t be mean, turnip green...
Zip your pants, fire ants...
Comb your hair, Smokey Bear...
Don’t cut the cheese, if you please...
Clean your room, my baboon...
Dats da word, hummingbird...
Suck a straw, Mardi Gras...
Break a dish, crawfish...
Yes indeedie, margaritie...
I gotcha back, Captain Jack...
I don’t play, étouffée...
Get off your ass, monkey grass...
Time to go, zydeco...

Some of dem you’ll remember...
Some might sound brand new...
Use dem whenever, if you wanna...
They belong to us all, me and you...

© 2022 Jeffrey Pipes Guice
My Wonder Years: A Book