I conjure NBC in black-and-white.
You drop dry ice in water; fog is rising.
You sell us Celsius and Fahrenheit.
I lose you in a cloud of advertising”
Winston, Esso, Zenith, Mr. Clean,
those thirty-second breaks for Ovaltine”
then smile at Bunsen burners and balloons,
more ropes and pulleys. You are mesmerizing
as familiar things become surprising.
I dream of robots, rayguns, Mars and moons,
and know that someday Chevrolets will fly.
POOF! Static . I can’t make your show go on.
Space shuttles fall; the pumps are running dry.
Jihadists shop for warheads . . . Godspeed, Don.
Time is short, so I’ll be direct: FIRST THINGS needs you. And we need you by December 31 at 11:59 p.m., when the clock will strike zero. Give now at supportfirstthings.com.
First Things does not hesitate to call out what is bad. Today, there is much to call out. Yet our editors, authors, and readers like you share a greater purpose. And we are guided by a deeper, more enduring hope.
Your gift of $50, $100, or even $250 or more will bring this message of hope to many more people in the new year.
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First Things needs you. I’m confident you’ll answer the call.
