Recently I performed a shortened version of this poem with a magic trick live in Nashville, TN. Here it is unedited just for you.
Two minutes til midnight The whole town is sleeping Yet it’s louder than it’s ever been Reverse the clock, the world is at stake Two minutes til midnight I’m wide awake Every passing moment, My head gets thicker There’s no time to think I can’t breathe, my skin feels like leather Two minutes til midnight Nothing’s getting any better Clock hands are moving quick Mine are stuck stiff Took a long time, come a long way To get this close to disaster Two minutes til midnight The clock ticks faster Desperation is coming It’s burning the horizon Everyone’s asleep still Isn't that surprising 2 minutes til midnight Politicians are still lying I look over yonder, nothings there These thoughts I have Are thoughts I can’t bear Better kiss your loved ones Better say a prayer 2 minutes til midnight 60 seconds til despair The sun is steady sinking slow So long and goodbye Last time I'll get to know The twinkle in the apple of your eye 2 minutes til midnight All I can do is sigh Can anyone else hear The things that I hear Can anyone else see Does anyone else care Two minutes til midnight I’ll see you there The executioner’s face hides in plain sight Was that thunder that I heard Doesn’t take a weatherman to see a storm Living on borrowed time, riding on tempest tides Two minutes til midnight I need someone to talk to, I need somewhere to hide
Don't tell me what to do, James.
Beautiful use of language. I'm a sucker for anything lamenting how finite the late-night hours are.