I.O.U.

My dad said it’s important that you pay back what you borrow.

“My son,” he said, “forgetting debts can only lead to sorrow!”

And so, because my dad is wise, I promptly pay each debt.

There’s not a thing I’ve borrowed that I haven’t paid back yet!

When you loaned me a dollar for a pretzel at the fair,

I paid you back in pennies--ninety-seven!  Almost there!

When you loaned me an egg so I could finish my soufflé,

I only used the inside.  I returned the shell!  Hooray!

I did return your turbo-charged electric ear hair groomer--

That’s not MY dog’s hair clogging up the parts.  It’s just a rumor!

And when I took your dental floss, I didn’t want to swindle.

I used it, wiped it off, then wound it back around the spindle!

It may sound like I haven’t paid back everything I took.

It may sound like I haven’t evened out the balance book.

But next time that you loan me something, I will make it right.

I’ll pay you back a little extra, just to be polite.

Hey, can I have a tissue?  I’ve got allergies galore!

I swear I will return it--plus a little something more.