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In a funny country with no name

the dead are embalmed in such a way

they keep as fresh as a fallen log.

The living carry them here and there

to picnics or to the cricket match

and they engage them in dialogue.

In this lovely little land success

is all that folks are left with when

they don't try hard enough to fail.

Success goes hand in hand with shame

but failure has a nobler sort of name.

Success is something to condemn.

For it makes a fool of them and it

chokes them in their dark and dirty sleep.

Failure's grand and it's hard and deep.

32. Funny Country


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