Thus the clock on my mobile phone a few seconds ago. Constantinople will fall in an hour, it crosses my mind. Actually, a century. This happens ever more often lately. I see all sorts of years in the digits. And centuries galore. Regardless of the century, though, everything that has happened in its last four decades is out of my history. Null and void. By and by, my history will become biased toward the first six decades, which are readily available on my mobile phone’s digital clock. The discovery of America is thus out. And so is the fall of Venice. As well as the French revolution. For my sins, there are no more than two centuries to go, either. The clock stops at 23:59, to be a bit more precise. And then Christ is born again. And again.

Addendum (September 5, 2015)

When I checked my mobile phone a few seconds ago, it was 14:53 exactly. The fall of Constantinople, it flashed through my mind. I almost panicked when I saw the clock. Remembering this piece, which was written an entire century ago, I calmed down a little. Happily, my laptop was within reach. Much is still to happen around the world till I go to sleep this evening. Judging by my recent habits, it will be around 23:50, give or take a few minutes. The end of time is already looming in the distance. High time to pinch myself, to be sure.