The poem describes the impending end of humanity brought about by our abuse of the Earth. As the Earth takes her last breaths, she summons Oblivion - an entity of destruction - to wipe out humanity as punishment for failing our test as caretakers of the planet. Oblivion awakens and unleashes its rage, causing mountains to collapse, trees to splinter, and the sky to darken as those still living descend into insanity before our final memory or humanity is erased from existence.

1. Flicker
A cool breeze blows across the land
The end of time is now at hand
With death’s song about to be sung
The age of man is about to be undone
But who will replace us after we fall?
A voice from the abyss says “no one at all.”
Mother Earth needs her rest
Humanity has failed its test
We took what was given so freely to us
Abused it and then beat her up
All for the sake of greater industry,
We nailed her to misery
Now as she exhales her last breath
So does she summon ultimate death
Oblivion awakened from its dreaming
Its eyes opened, red and glowing
Its teeth gnashing angrily
In an instant its off and running
The sky blackens dark as ash
Under an unseen weight mountains collapse
Trees splinter and take to the air
All shall disappear without a care
Screams of fear turn to screams of pain
As those still living turn insane
The fate of humanity lay dead and sour
While Armageddon chimes in our last hour
Soon we shall pass without even a memory
Nothing but a flicker of a … dream.
Wunschel
1/26/02