Done Bleeding - The Mountain Goats

Recite the songs that kept me whole

On the day I hand over command control

Try to let them all flow into this one

List alphabetically

The toxins the doctors found in me

During my time in prison

Count my fingers

Every last one

When I get done

Clean the floors well, sweep and swab

Do a thorough job

Leave the old place nicer than I found it

Wish well as the neighbors cheer and shout

Finally taking their earplugs out

Things were even worse here than they sounded

Grim-faced pilots

Back from the bombing run

When I get done

Take a picture or two

Just to remember the view

Leave a mark on the door

As an empty warning sign

From one who’s gone before

But isn’t here anymore

Let the crust form

On my skin in the sun

When I get done

Sweep the front porch make it new

Put the broom away when I get through

No passersby need know of my lonely tenure

All this riot of light

The shock of leaves

Wind rippling in my sleeves

Swirling against my skin as in a blender

Red thread drying behind me

Hand smoking

When I get done