Countdown

In junior high, one day a week

The radio would play

The top hits, 25 of them

And so, without delay

 

My friend and I would hurry home

And hang out in her room

To hear the countdown, which,

Like m&m’s, we would consume.

 

I kept a notebook, writing down

From 25 to 1,

The songs we heard and wouldn’t leave

Until the list was done.

 

Today my radio is tuned

To classic QXR,*

The countdown, from 100,

Very beautiful so far.

 

When midnight strikes to end the year,

They’ll play the final choice

And like I did in junior high,

(If I’m up), I’ll rejoice.

 

*WQXR – the classical music station of NYC