The boys told me that licorice was made from rat’s blood

I was just keen enough to know that they wanted my black rope

And if I gave it to them they would tell me bad things about

Chocolate bars and Popsicles, about two-dollar bills, about girls.

 

I seldom had the things they wanted

I was excited, a new high flush from envy

 

Later, I found that most licorice contains only anise, and

Carbenoxolone, a compound derived from licorice root,

May help slow the effects of aging on the brain.