I cheated death today
I stole one second, one inch,
and one degree from him.
In the blink of an eye
his hand was empty
and I still breathed.
When the fear had passed
and the smoke had cleared
I returned to his broken trap.
There on the ground
lay a copper coin
and I stole this too.
I put it on a chain
around my neck.
This way I'm sure
I'll never forget.