Here are the lyrics to a song from "Magic and Loss," by the incomparable Lou Reed:
HARRY'S CIRCUMCISION Looking in the mirror Harry didn't like what he saw The cheeks of his mother the eyes of his father As each day crashed around him the future stood revealed He was turning into his parents The final disappointment Stepping out of the shower Harry stared at himself His hairline receding the slight overbite He picked up the razor to begin his shaving and thought oh I wish I was different I wish I was stronger I wish I was thinner I wish I didn't have this nose These ears that stick out remind me of my father and I don't want to be reminded at all The final disappointment Harry looked in the mirror thinking of Vincent van Gogh and with a quick swipe lopped off his nose And happy with that he made a slice where his chin was He'd always wanted a dimple The end of all illusion Then peering down straight between his legs Harry thought of the range of possibilities A new face a new life no memories of the past and slit his throat from ear to ear Harry woke with a cough the stitches made him wince A doctor smiled at him from somewhere across the room Son we saved your life but you'll never look the same And when he heard that, Harry had to laugh And when he heard that, Harry had to laugh Although it hurt Harry had to laugh The final disappointment
