Written to the prompt A is for attract.
Better Than Nothin’
‘What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?’
The first one asked as he ordered some wine;
‘I’m researching a book that you could help me with,’
She said, ‘It’s all about out-dated chat-up lines,
So push off.
Here’s your wine,
Sling your hook, go away.
I’m not talking to you, not today.’
Ba-da-da
The second said, ‘Come back for coffee when you get off here,
It’s just for coffee, love, I’m in no hurry.’
She said, ‘And why should I waste my life trying to brighten yours?
And are you sure that your mother won’t worry?
So get lost.
Take a hike,
There’s a good little scout.
Are you sure that your mum knows you’re out?’
Oh, she won’t stand for nothin’, this girl,
No, she won’t stand for nothin’, uh-huh,
And you can’t tell her nothin’,
Cos she’s heard every line every time.
Ba-da-da
The third said, ‘Darlin’, you and me, why don’t we get outta here?
I can take you where you’ve never been.’
She said, ‘The places you can take me I don’t wanna go
And with you I’d be shamed to be seen.
That’s enough.
If you’re travellin’,
Then be on your way,
Cos your face has just ruined my day.’
Ba-da-da
The fourth one tried a different line, he said, ‘Come on let’s dance,
You remind me of my little sister.’
She said, ‘You fancy your relations, well, that’s your affair,
But I think you need therapy, mister.
Take a walk.
Can’t you see,
I just don’t wanna know
Take your complexes with you and go.’
Oh, she won’t stand for nothin’, this girl,
No, she won’t stand for nothin’, uh-huh,
And you can’t tell her nothin’,
Cos she’s heard every line every time.
Ba-da-da
He was tall and he was willowy and as thin as a rake;
He would have needed a bulldozer to make the earth shake.
What drew her towards him well, she never knew;
But she found herself there and she said, ‘How are you?’
He said, ‘I’m better than nothin’, oh yes,
Yes, I’m better than nothin’, uh-huh,
Slightly better than nothin’;
I’m just fine and I won’t waste your time.’
Ba-da-da
‘I’m under no illusions,
Don’t stand out from the crowd;
You’re lucky to notice me,
I don’t even talk too loud.
Don’t be fooled by my appearance,
I got no hidden depths;
My one big advantage –
You see what you get.
Ask me to go, I won’t put up a fight.
Ask me to stay, and well, hell, I just might.
You can know all about me in ten seconds flat.’
She said, ‘I got nothin’ planned.’
He said, ‘I’m better than that.’
And it was better than nothin’, oh yes,
It was better than nothing, uh-huh,
So much better than nothin’.
Now they’re fine and they’re wasting no time
Being better than nothin’.
Ba-da-da
© Carol Carman 2026
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