Next Trial Please

people are deliriously excited
can't wait for the next big one
as this may just occur any day from now
with the ship leaking very slowly
the rats still nibbling busily
captain's steering wobbly
with the ex-captain disposed of cleanly
but tomorrow is another story
better hang on to your choice seats
as the circus unfolds a preview
of the next trial to end all trials
the stench is in the air
it will spread all over the globe
climate change can wait
abandon ship will be the command
but the captain's sticking it out
till the last minute
because the gods whisper it so