Three Songs for Roger

Life's ups and downs don't ever disengage,
And when one book is read, there's still some other page.
The ins and outs are just a part of one big cage,
And you must play, for all this world's your stage.

    What's a little scratch when you got an itch?
    What's a little flick to the power switch?
    What's a little catch for the pitcher's pitch?
    What's a little gloom when your life's a bitch?

One comes with the other one, that's for sure.
For most every illness there seems some cure.
If you start with one, you'll deal with two,
'Cause that's what life has made for you.

    What's a soothing balm for each ache and pain?
    What's a plumber's plunger to that backed-up drain?
    What's a little bleach to the red wine stain?
    What's a changing wind to the weathervane?

One comes with the other one, I'll tell you true.
For any one thing there comes the cue
That you'll play with one, but romp with two,
'Cause that's how life was made for you.

    What's a fitting answer to every little plight?
    What's the color black to the color white?
    What's a bumpy tumble from some lofty height?
    What's a workman's wrench when the nut's too tight?

    What's a little lovin' when you're feeling fine?
    What's the thing that's yours that is also mine?
    What's the dark of night when the sun does shine?
    What's that giant puzzle? Read between each line.

One comes with the other one, I'll say it straight.
For any one thing, like love or hate,
You will sport with one, but war with two,
'Cause those are the rules life's made for you.

What am I, as I look back?
That fallen giant or the bean stalk Jack?
Is the handsome prince what I have been
Or just some Joe taking it on the chin?

Where am I, as life goes by?
A Gulliver's traveling kind of guy?
I've been lost but I've been found,
And I've been loosed, though once was bound.

Was I the tailor killing flies
But also that dragon's last surprise?
Are all my stories quite the same?
I'm due the praise and due the blame.

Who and what and why, I ask,
While taking off each story's mask?
Who am I, as I take and give?
Why exactly do I live?

Who am I, as life goes on?
The ugly duckling and a graceful swan?
Who am I, each day I live?
What is it that I might give?

Love; it's a difficult word at the very best.
It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that sting.
Besides, what's love gotta do with it?
Pop stars holler and sell a hit,
But it could as well be in a grade school skit.
What does love mean to you and me?
Does it mean my freedom or your slavery?

I love my pizza, and I love my beer,
I love my dog, and conquering fear.
When my team wins, I love to cheer,
And when they lose, I love to jeer.

I love to cuss, and I love to grouse;
I love to laugh, and I love my spouse.
To love so many things is great,
That even I can love to hate.

I love bein' right, and I love bein' seen
In all the right places, or in between.
I love to fight when the time is right,
And the time seems right both day and night.

I love myself, even when I don't,
And I love to choose, even when I won't.
I love to love to love to love,
And especially when push comes to shove.

So what does all this lovin' mean?
Is love from God or just a chromosomal gene?
Is love is very own opposite?
Is love so fine though sometimes shi....?

Oh, I love my pizza, and I love my beer,
I love my dog, and conquering fear.
So, come what may, this much seems clear,
Love's here to stay, from what I hear.