'Twas Crisis—All the length had passed— <br />That dull—benumbing time <br />There is in Fever or Event— <br />And now the Chance had come— <br /> <br />The instant holding in its claw <br />The privilege to live <br />Or warrant to report the Soul <br />The other side the Grave. <br /> <br />The Muscles grappled as with leads <br />That would not let the Will— <br />The Spirit shook the Adamant— <br />But could not make it feel. <br /> <br />The Second poised—debated—shot— <br />Another had begun— <br />And simultaneously, a Soul <br />Escaped the House unseen—<br /><br />Emily Dickinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/twas-crisis-all-the-length-had-passed/
