Today is one of those special Thursdays where we're taking you all the way back to our humble beginnings as a literary journal. Nearly 15 years ago (Summer 2000) the very first issue of Drunken Boat hit the net. Although it may be small, it contains wonders of artistic achievement that still have the same sparkle as when they were originally published-- which is why today's featured post is Melissa Kirsch's intriguing and speculative poem about human nature, "The Second-To-Last Hour." "In the future, no more bacteria. In the future, less traffic fewer misunderstandings no new dance craze to catch on to. In the future, the daughters who spilled grape juice on the oriental rug are loved just the same, everyone is forgiven, all is forgiven." Melissa Kirsch is a New York-based poet, author, journalist, and has been professionally writing for and about women since 1998. At current she blogs for the Huffington Post and writes the "My Secret Library" column for KGB Bar Lit. Her first book, The Girl's Guide to Absolutely Everything, was published in 2007 and offers advice on many of the topics and challenges faced  by young women today. Get the latest updates on her work at melissakirsch.com Click here to treat yourself to "The Second-To-Last Hour"