Now you've got me talking in clichés

 Life is hard 

so you need a little sentimentality

smoothing out the hard edges

Now you've got me talking in clichés!

So you need a little sentimentality?

I've got some in the back room

Now you've got me talking in clichés

there is no "you" here, though

I've got some in the back room

but I don't think you want me to go back there

there is no "you" here, though 

Once you realize that, the jig is up 

But I don't think you want me to go back there 

Life is hard

Once you realize that, the jig is up

smoothing out the hard edges

Pantoum

 "I don't teach modulation until March"

The crowded frying pan....

A sad remnant of humanity

In the bathroom mirror 

The crowded frying pan-- 

easily remedied 

in the bathroom mirror.

A jeering crowd

easily remedied

by feigned deafness. 

A jeering crowd

after decades of neglect. 

....