It was noon when the wise man approached me.
In his hand he carried a one hour sandglass,
Jovially bellowing upon every grain that trickled down.
So absorbed was he that clearly time didn't matter;
'For another two steps and he woulda crushed me and his hourglass.
"Woah timely sir!
It seems you've run out of seconds!"
I exclaimed
"Might I inquire about what is so important within this hour?"
The Sands slowed their decent as his gaze shifted...
His eyes fixated,
Everything froze...
Including the final grain,
Floating,
In its chalice.
He spoke to me.
"Given the choice between an
Hour...
Minute...
Second...
Which would you be?"
Curious I told him
"One hour"
To his reply
"There's only 24 of those in a day,
Think bigger."
Playing along I invoked
"The minute"
As he chuckled
"Though indeed bigger,
1440 is still too small.
Think larger."
Confused I queried
"A second?"
Not quite catching on
The laughing ended as he lifted his clock.
Silence reigned.
My eyes shifted to the immobile grain,
Hypnotic in its suspension,
When finally the fellow spoke above me:
"I hope you now understand the significance
Of 86400 moments."
Just before he turned the glass
To walk away.
Aug 5, 2016
Aug 5, 2016 at 12:24 AM UTC
It was noon when the wise man approached me.
In his hand he carried a one hour sandglass,
Jovially bellowing upon every grain that trickled down.
So absorbed was he that clearly time didn't matter;
'For another two steps and he woulda crushed me and his hourglass.
"Woah timely sir!
It seems you've run out of seconds!"
I exclaimed
"Might I inquire about what is so important within this hour?"
The Sands slowed their decent as his gaze shifted...
His eyes fixated,
Everything froze...
Including the final grain,
Floating,
In its chalice.
He spoke to me.
"Given the choice between an
Hour...
Minute...
Second...
Which would you be?"
Curious I told him
"One hour"
To his reply
"There's only 24 of those in a day,
Think bigger."
Playing along I invoked
"The minute"
As he chuckled
"Though indeed bigger,
1440 is still too small.
Think larger."
Confused I queried
"A second?"
Not quite catching on
The laughing ended as he lifted his clock.
Silence reigned.
My eyes shifted to the immobile grain,
Hypnotic in its suspension,
When finally the fellow spoke above me:
"I hope you now understand the significance
Of 86400 moments."
Just before he turned the glass
To walk away.
