Egotist (The) Poem by Tom Courtney

Next to myself baby
I love you the best
Though I’m my own favorite
you take all the rest

And you're such a sweet child
really my kind of gal
Call it sentimentality
Say I’m your pal

And I’ll bet you're wondering
what makes him think
that his self-flattering attitude
doesn’t make him stink?

From my point of view though
I can see it quite clearly
what I love best is inside
and it's all mine or nearly

But don't get me wrong love
When you entered my life
you made me think girlfriend
I almost thought wife

I caught myself though
Guess I liked myself more
I could have got shackled-up
but home life's a bore

With all I’ve got going
me and myself included
I really don't share well
I’m not that deluded

It's a tough choice to make though
You're a beauty for sure
We're like clams on the half-shell
like oysters hors-d'ouvres

But I’m single for good reason
I’m a loner it's true
sort of character-flawed
I love me more than you