Bravo (I Am Taking in Dangerous Goods)

You made me realize—
I’m taking in dangerous goods.

I see now I’m no longer an alpha
I’m a diver that you have to keep clear of.
(alpha means I have a diver down, keep clear)

I went overboard the ship
This is not acting.
I don’t need an Oscar.
(Oscar means man overboard.)

I hear your echo—
Altering my course to the right.

I called your Papa—
He said, “We’re all on board.
No turning back now.”

I asked if I should leave you.
He said, “He’s Charlie.
That answers everything.”*
(Charlie means yes.)

I saw your new girl, Sierra—
She looks like engines
Taking you back.
(Sierra means engines are astern.)

When I believed you were my Romeo—
(Though Romeo means nothing at all)—

You set me on fire.
(Juliet means keep clear—the ship’s aflame.)

It made me want to drink whiskey—
(Whiskey means I require assistance.)

It made me want to check into a hotel,
Fly off to India,
Or Quebec—
Just somewhere I can request free pratique—
Be the pilot of my own ship—
Out at sea, playing golf.
(Golf means I require a pilot.)

It’s too bad I don’t have an X-ray
To see your intentions.
(X-ray means stop carrying out your intentions.)

I thought about going back,
But I realized it’s November.
(November means no.)

I should move more like a man named Mike.
(Mike means stop.)

Even after doing the tango—
(Tango means keep clear)—

I’m still dragging my anchor—
(Yankee means I’m dragging my anchor)—

And I need your tug—
(Zulu means I require a tug.)