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24 TAPS I’d suffered more than enough And decided to call it quits. I got my affairs in order And left no stone unturned. I wasn’t surprised, at all, That it had come to this. Death had been busy barking Up the branches of my tree For an awfully long time. I’d always heard it said: No man is an island. Yet whoever spoke such words Didn’t know me in the least. I never met a man I liked— For even so much as a moment. Will Rogers was nothing But a great big liar Who got kicked in the head By one too many horses. So I guess it’s pretty well done. I’m leaving whatever I have To an old broad in Spokane; She showed me a few good times When I was down in the mouth Over the damn V.A.’s failure To pay me what I was owed And get me the proper treatment For a nagging neck injury I’ve been nursing since ’Nam. 25 Ah, what’s it all mean? Now I just need to decide How to do the dirty deed. I got plenty of pain pills, A gun, a knife, a syringe— Even a plastic bag for the occasion— And a hotel room on the top floor, So high I can see the entire city. Believe me, I won’t be missed. I guess I’d just like to hear The sound of a bugle Before I hit the street. ...

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