Queen of the Market (For Today Only)

[Intro] [low vocal register] Listen Listen My neighbors My cousins My enemies My future ex-husbands Gather close I have an announcement A tragedy A miracle And a discount [Verse 1] Today I woke up a legend Queen of the market Ruler of row three My slippers were crooked but destiny called From the broken alarm on my cheap phone I put on eyeliner like war paint A scarf like a royal banner And swore to the ceiling fan "By noon I will sell everything Even the things I don’t own yet" [Chorus] I am the queen of the market (for today only!) Look at my prices Look at my pain I am the empress of bargains (applause please!) One hand counting coins One hand holding my heart Who wants tomatoes with a side of drama? [Verse 2] [spoken Rhythmic] Six in the morning Rooster shouting like it’s my manager Tea boiling Mother complaining Neighbor spying I walk through the alley like a celebrity Stepping over yesterday’s gossip in plastic bags Children follow me Not because I’m famous Because I dropped sunflower seeds on the way I arrive My stall is waiting Crooked table Three wobbly legs Like my last three relationships Tomatoes shining like they think they’re precious stones Cucumbers lined up like lazy soldiers Coriander pretending to be a bouquet [Chorus] [Verse 3] [first half playful Then accelerating] [spoken Faster] Customer number one Enters like a detective Examines each tomato Like she’s choosing a president "Why is this one soft?" Because it has feelings Madam "Why is this one small?" Because it knows disappointment "Why so expensive?" Because I am paying for my broken heart and the electricity bill Customer number two Wants everything For half the price And three blessings thrown in He says "Sister We are family!" I say "Then act like family And pay me on time" [Bridge] [tempo rising Drums busier] Suddenly Chaos Rain threatens from a clear sky A donkey blocks the entrance My cousin arrives with a rumor My aunt arrives with an opinion My ex arrives with an excuse The tomatoes stage a revolution The cucumbers roll for freedom A child steals a lemon I chase him He chases his balloon The balloon chases the clouds The clouds chase my patience away [spoken-shouted Call-and-response with imaginary crowd] Who wants parsley? — "How much?" Who wants onions? — "Too strong!" Who wants my time My spine My sanity? — "Maybe later!" [Chorus] [Verse 4] [chaotic Overlapping ad-libs imagined] [whispered vocals] At three o’clock I am still bargaining with destiny "Take my leftovers Leave me my dignity" My feet write complaints in dust My back sings sad poetry My voice is standing on a chair waving a white flag But look Look how alive this street is The shouting The laughing The arguing over nothing The coins passing hand to hand Like tiny Shiny gossip Somewhere between the tomatoes and the trouble I start laughing A loud Ugly Beautiful laugh Because tomorrow I will wake up And do it all again [Chorus] [Outro] [spoken Big theatrical finish] Listen My neighbors My cousins My future ex-husbands If you cannot handle my prices At least respect my performance Now go home Tell everyone You met a queen today And she charged you fairly More or less [sharp drum hit Sudden silence]