Miss Murphy in first grade br wrote its name in chalk br across the board and told us br it was roaring down the stormtracks br of the Milky Way at frightful speed br and if it wandered off its course br and smashed into the earth br there'd be no school tomorrow. br A red-bearded preacher from the hills br with a wild look in his eyes br stood in the public square br at the playground's edge br proclaiming he was sent by God br to save every one of us, br even the little children. br "Repent, ye sinners!" he shouted, br waving his hand-lettered sign. br At supper I felt sad to think br that it was probably br the last meal I'd share br with my mother and my sisters; br but I felt excited too br and scarcely touched my plate. br So mother scolded me br and sent me early to my room. br The whole family's asleep br except for me. They never heard me steal br into the stairwell hall and climb br the ladder to the fresh night air. br Look for me, Father, on the roof br of the red brick building br at the foot of Green Street— br that's where we live, you know, on the top floor. br I'm the boy in the white flannel gown br sprawled on this coarse gravel bed br searching the starry sky, br waiting for the world to end.