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This book in a lot
of ways is just

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a nightmare about
power, or how you are

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supposed to rise into power.

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And so this poem, I
always tell people

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is sort of like, if the
world became a true nightmare

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and I were elected
president, this

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is like what I would say at my
own inauguration, or whatever,

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with my hand.

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"His Induction."

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"My oath here tonight is I'll
die with my hand on the Oxford

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Bible.

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My former president's
name on my tongue

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like the last town I sacked.

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And when I fall on my sword,
I'll fall on my sword so well,

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I'll put Rome to shame.

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I'll wait, I'll wait until
your donkeys go crazy

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and trample me home.

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It's your men who will
tattoo my face on their feet

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when they war dance.

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It's your women who will
stitch my name in their linens

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and soil them.

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In each town you name in my
honor, you'll name smithereens.

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And each elm you
plant in my honor

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will wilt me a
portrait of leaves.

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And when it's your turn to kiss
the rings of the bone thief.

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And when your Manhattan is
dross and piled with grave goods

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I'll death so well they'll
say dying is ripping me off.

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And I'll finger my
name on your tongue

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like it was your first born."

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