Four Minutes Poem by Charles M Moore

Tuesday morning half past eight
that's the time that I awake
see the shadows on the wall
hear the early morning call,

Draw my breath and wipe my eyes
I'll arise at 35
the time just now is 31
tuesday morning has begun,

Think of all that I must do
the time is nearly 32
I'm going to have a busy day
tuesday mornings under way,

Sitting up I greet the dawn
and wonder where my socks have gone
the time has just left 33
tuesday morning's mad at me,

I see my socks upon the floor
the time just now is 34
tuesday morning is no more.


Written after the realization that we would only get four minutes warning of nuclear holocaust.