Jens Lekman
Postcard #14
April 5th, 2015

You know how we as humanity
Are obsessed with our own importance
And we're terrified that something could suddenly wipe out our very existence
So we build seed vaults at Svalbard
We send golden records into space

And well, this is where my idea comes in for a sci-fi story
This is where my idea comes in for a sci-fi story

Imagine the reverse scenario:
We decided to erase ourselves
From the largest skyscrapers and monuments
To molecules and cells
If we did then what would be the reason for such a full-scale self-delusion

Well, this is as far I've come with my idea for a sci-fi story
This is as far I've come with my idea for a sci-fi story

I started shopping the story around like a conversational tidbit
I'd wait for a good point to bring it up
See what the other person would make of it
It triggered something interesting
My friends all started opening their ideas that directly reflected what was on their mind without their knowing
And I got lots of ideas for my sc-fi story
Lots and lots and lots of ideas for my sc-fi story

Joseph mentioned the positions of stars
I didn't know he was so into the astrological
Stella brought up the human mind
Revealed an interest in the psychological
Jennifer said, "Aren't we already doomed?"
Oh, Jen, you're too cynical
Barbak mentioned hope for a new beginning
Babak, you see the best in us all

I asked my friend, Julian
Gave him the premise of my story
He said, "Have you ever been in love with someone who's made you feel sorry for who you are?
Made you want to obliterate yourself to please her or him?
Maybe we've met some civilization that treats us in this fashion."
Then he didn't say anything as if, "Let's go for a walk,"
I say, "How've things been lately?
Are you okay?
Forget about the sci-fi story
Let's just get a coffee and talk
I head 'round the corner there's a new cafe."