the end of the world

you listen to
the radio preacher
in somber tones
predicting once
again the end of
the world as we
know it. and you
sing the lyrics
to the song, trying
to remember who's
song it was.
nick lowe's perhaps,
they must be giants?
you're not sure,
but you like
the song, it's
very singable with
a catchy tune
that sticks with
you like oatmeal
throughout the day.
but this preacher
who has been on the
airwaves for decades
promises the end is
near. may twenty-first
of this year. his
calculations are
based on biblical
prophesy, mathematical
deductions and
large doses of grim hope
and fear, and you wonder
if it's true, if the
rapture is about to take
place, making all
the living believers
rise into the sky
like ashes in the wind,
and if it is the end of
the world, maybe you
should give that
girl a call you've
been meaning to meet
and have that date. she
sounded so nice on
the phone. time may
be short. and now you
remember, it was R.E.M. .