There was much to be said about recent events. None of it was good and most of it was bad. But no matter how you looked at it dead was dead. Procreation was no longer an option, conception no longer possible.

As the Earth shook violently, entire cities vanished leaving nothing but barren ground. Not a screw, a nail, or a Styrofoam cup to be found.

There was a great deal of posturing and finger pointing. Some suspected it was a bomb released into the earth by warring factions, in the hope of delivering a slow painful death to their enemies.  Conspiracy theorists claimed it was a government experiment gone wrong. Others simply didn’t care, waiting for the inevitable,

In a world gone awry, chaos reined supreme. Basic instincts replaced social etiquette. Wizened men listened to the wind and knew it was time.

In a loving embrace, high above the earth, Gaia comforted her children; soon the living infections, the parasites formed by the primordial ooze of creation would be gone. Her family would heal, and all would be as it once was. She lazily raised her hand, holding the tablet, how appropriate, how delicious the irony. A simple press here, and another city; swallowed by the Earth. Ashes to Ashes. Another button press, and the Volcanoes erupted. The fire, cleansing. Dust-to-dust, and the oceans swelled to wash it away.