‘T is in the twinkle of escape
That all our safety lies.
Of danger—whatsoe’er the shape—
The nearness naught implies:
This side is life; that side, a breath
Of deviation, instant death.
‘T is in the present I am free
The mental die to cast;
The future yet of mastery
Is palsied as the past;
Between, the breathless balance still
Awaits the hesitating will.
(John Bannister Tabb)
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Based on Topics: Life Poems, Death & Dying Poems, Past Poems, Lies & Deceit Poems, Future Poems, Present Poems, Mastery & Expertise PoemsBased on Keywords: danger-, shape-, deviation