Precious Seconds Poem by Sally Sandler

A single second—only one,
"one one-thousand"—that is all.
And in that void, a race is won,
a hawk strikes, the dove falls;
the rain begins, the drought is done,
the atom splits, the future calls.

Time enough to say, "I do, "
and seal a love against the fates;
or, beseeching, "I love you, "
regardless of the vow that breaks.
A falling star fades from view,
the night swallows fire it makes.

Cars crash, a bone breaks,
the cat jumps and milk is spilled.
In the little time that takes
the addict takes a deadly pill.
A spirit reaches open gates,
leaving dust upon the hill.

A button's pushed, a bomb drops,
a final suture—healing starts.
The tiger dies when gun pops,
a muttered utterance breaks a heart.
The midwife cries, "Push, don't stop, "
and in that time, a life embarks.

Much begins, and so much fits
within a second—easily.
The space inside is fathomless,
a window to eternity.