The Countdown Begins

11/10/2024

The theme song for this evening is,

            Of course, REM, It’s The End Of The World

                        As We Know It,

But I Don’t Feel Fine,

            No, not fine, not at all.

We have grandchildren out there,

            Awaiting whatever censored or skewed

                        Or ordained curriculum they are allowed

            To receive, or what diminished opportunities

                        Might await, what diminished expectations,

In a diminished future.

 No, not fine at all.

What might await so many of the immigrated,

            Moved to this promised land, this land of freedom,

                        The melting pot,

            The tired, the poor, the oppressed, here,

                        Here, now so precipitously,

In a land of oppressors. Not fine at all.

And what will happen to us all,

            A ramped-up assault on the planet anew,

                        Without restraint, drill, baby, drill,

            Without regard, without a pretense of care,

                                    Just the thrill

                        Of a big V8 roaring up the hill in front of the house,

                                    Without regard, no worry,

We’re going to drill baby drill

Till there ain’t anymore. Not fine at all.

I am old now, there’s much frost on the roof,

But my wife and I are quite happy

In our way, and we

            Might be able to tuck down tight enough

To finish out the ride,

But not gentle, no,

                        Not gentle into this grim night,

                                    Not fine at all,

In this lost country, now handed to this

            Callous and degenerate lot.

This once great land, leader of the free world,

Once a proud people, real patriots,

            The great society we strove for,

                                    That offered liberty, and opportunity,

                                                For all, without prejudice,

            And allegiance to truth, and allegiance to our allies,

                                    And perhaps

Compassion among all Americans,

                                                            Never perfect, but aspired to,

                        Was part of the sacred trust,

                                                            What defined us.

What the hell did I know?

It’s the end of the world

As we knew it. I don’t feel fine.