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Gun Fight at the Circle-K Corral

The last real gunfight
in the American West
took place in Tempe Arizona
along a cattle trail
where a 7-11 stands today.

There were three shots fired
and three people died.

(Beneath the cash-register
rest the skeletons
of America)

The savage territories
have been tamed.
The high plains stained
with high-rises
and hotel signs.

There were three shots fired
And no time for last words.

(Below the Icee machine
lie the artifacts
of western expansion.)

John Wayne is dead
and the future is far too civilized.

Off the highway
there’s a “tree farm”.
We used to call them forests
before they were picked clean
to put up apartments.

There were three shots fired
And one man left standing.

(Under the tile floor
hide the scattered remains
of our yesterday)

They’re tearing down a horse ranch
on Western Avenue
to erect a real estate office.
They’re selling the Old West
for old money
and oil wells.

There were three shots fired
and our history died

(Beneath the frozen burritos
rest the bones
of America.)

Gene Autry is dead
and the future has no theme song.