Keep it in your pants
and don’t go off half-cocked.
I’m not sure what you’ve heard
or what stories you may be spreading
but Nicky’s all right.
He’s A-OK.

Sure, Nicholas hasn’t been around in a while.
I haven’t seen him in months
but I don’t think he’s dead.
Not yet.
It’d be too soon.

MIA ain’t the same thing as DOA
I can assure you.
Nick’s get some spring left in his step,
I’ll bet.
No news, I’ve heard,
is good news
– though, if I heard it through the mainstream news,
mightn’t that make it fake news?
No matter;
Nicholas is fine, I’m sure.
He’s fine!

Sure, I know what he gets up to
but Mister Nick can take it.
He can stand the abuses
he heaps upon himself
for at least a little while more.
He can’t be dead
– not yet.
He can’t be… yet.