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By Allen Burns

VA Medical Facility—Albuquerque, NM

I'd like to get away,
But I won't go without her.
I'd like to hide my head in the sand,
But there isn't any, only concrete and asphalt.
I'd like to have more friends,
But there are too many enemies.
I'd like to be solvent,
But the VA won't give me my money.
I'd like to buy the world a Coke,
But I don't have enough change for the machine.
I'd like to get out of the rain,
But my umbrella leaks.
I need to have focus,
But I'm too distracted.
I need to lose weight,
But I love food too much.
I need to walk more,
But my joints are ablaze.
I need to control my temper,
But I'm fired up.
I need to practice peace,
But war beckons.
I need to love my fellow man,
But he doesn't deserve it.
I need to get things fixed,
And sometimes I do.
I need to know everything,
And it gets me in trouble.
I need to love,
And that I'm doing.