mr16's shoebox: being unpleasant doesn't pay

i tried looking suspicious in various places
like shops, public houses and banks.
i tried looking suspicious in different spaces
in cars, trucks, lorries and tanks

i tried looking unpleasant in people's houses
like friends' homes and one of their mate's
and by looking unpleasant i left him the impression
that i must be someone he hates.

i tried starting fires with bracken and briars
in corners of people's bathroom.
i tried breaking wires with scissors and pliers
to make people's 'lectrics go boom.

i tried tricking people o'er roof and o'er steeple
by playing malevolent pranks
i tried to keep all the things i did evil
and never i got any thanks