IF ONLY

If my mum was different

If my dad wasn't sad

If my sister didn't tease me

Then I would be glad

If the war hadn't happened

and my Uncle Archie didn't die

My Dad would be happy

And so would I

If my sister didn't talk so much

and take over each day

Then I would tell people

What I really want to say

If my schooling had been different

and I had got by just fine

Then any career going

would have been mine

If I had stood my ground

and said office work wasn't sound

then I would be painting

all year round

But if I'd gone to art college

then I wouldn't have gone further

to find something better

where it was hot weather

I would have not found my dearest friend

and everything would not be all right in the end.