Clarence Lee from Tennessee <br />Loved the commercials he saw on TV. <br />He watched with wide believing eyes <br />And bought everything they advertised -- <br />Cream to make his skin feel better <br />Spray to make his hair look wetter <br />Bleach to make his white things whiter <br />Stylish jeans that fit much tighter. <br />Toothpaste for his cavities, <br />Powder for his doggie's fleas, <br />Purple mouthwash for his breath, <br />Deodorant to stop his sweat. <br />He bought each cereal they presented, <br />Bought each game that they invented. <br />Then one day he looked and saw <br />'A brand-new Maw, a better Paw! <br />New, improved in every way -- <br />Hurry, order yours today!' <br />So, of course, our little Clarence <br />Sent off for two brand-new parents. <br />The new ones cam in the morning mail, <br />The old ones he sold at a garage sale. <br />And now they all are doing fine: <br />His new folks treat him sweet and kind, <br />His old ones work in an old coal mine. <br />So if your Maw and Paw are mean, <br />And make you eat your lima beans <br />And make you wash and make you wait <br />And never let you stay up late <br />And scream and scold and preach and pout, <br />That simply means they're wearing out. <br />So send off for two brand-new parents <br />And you'll be happy as little Clarence.<br /><br />Sheldon Allan Silverstein<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/clarence/
