The Bridge Over Chaos (John Martin)

#45

To foresee the event prevents a misfortune.

Constant vigilance is a similar strategy,
As is prayer. Chaos is a man's portion,
Presented to each of us without apology.
Could mankind bridge it for even a minute?
If the world chose just one moment to save,
Say, next Tuesday at noon, a finite
Sixty seconds during which we gave
Our full attention: no rape, no murder,
No manmade or natural disaster,
Could we establish one minute of order?
Or would chaos swirl even faster
And bring even eternity to an end?
Oh, but what a message we'd send!