April 16

John J Patrick, CPA

He gets no rest, night or day

DEC Rainbow computer glow-in' blue

Tax forms stacked up to the roof

Coffee gone cold by noon

He’s been chasin’ every number

Crossing lines in the dark

Like the whole year torn asunder

Then the calendar flips

And his head won’t quit

Can’t believe it’s April already

The pressure’s on to get ready

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

John, you’re done, you’re clean

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

Tax season’s in the rearview scene

Patti says, “John, take a deep breath and chillll-lax”

(You made it through)

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

There’s nothing left to do

He wakes up sharp at dawn

Heart jumpin’, time to get runnin’

Reaches for the pile of paper

Finds his abacus a short time later

Patti leans on the frame

Smilin’ like she knows his game

Says, “John, put it all away

You’ve earned a quiet day”

He turns pale, says, “Oh no!”

“Do I need to pray?”

Hands still full of paper

Then she laughs and takes his pen

Says, “Not today, not again”

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

John, you’re done, you’re clean

April sixteen,

(You made it through)

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

There’s nothing left to do

He looks at his old adding tape machine

He’s tired of the routine and punching in

Patti shuts the office door

The silence feels like a peaceful score

One deep breath, one slow grin

He lets the whole thing in

No more forms, extensions, or fear

Time for a good book, puzzle,

and a nice cold beer

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

John, you’re done, you’re clean

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

Tax season’s in the rearview scene

Patti says, “John, take a deep breath and chillll-lax”

(You made it through)

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

There’s nothing left to do

There’s nothing left to do

(nothing left to do)

April sixteen

You hit the finish line

JOHN’S RETIRED NOW

AND HE AND PATTI ARE DOIN FINE!