My Four Minutes | Teen Ink

My Four Minutes

November 16, 2014
By Nightingale74 PLATINUM, Beavercreek, Ohio
Nightingale74 PLATINUM, Beavercreek, Ohio
46 articles 0 photos 152 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When you need something to believe in, believe in yourself."
"A poem unwritten is only a thought; unshared, unsaid..."


When I beheld the time-line
of my existence,
I saw it ran for eternity—
I existed before I was born;
I will live after I die.

But one small speck upon that line,
caught my eye.
I saw it was my life.
Oh! How small it seemed to me,
when compared to all the rest.

Just four short minutes in my
little infinity.

For the first minute, I was a child—
young and carefree.
And then I turned thirteen—
suddenly all grown up.
But then I truly grew up—
with a child of my own.
Then my child did the growing—
and I was left alone.

Just four short minutes in my
little infinity.

And when I looked at all I had
experienced,
I saw no other time as full
as my four minutes.
So much in so little—

Just four short minutes in my
little infinity.

So much pain and
so many tears.
So much laughter and
so many smiles.

I would never trade a thing
for my four short minutes in my
little infinity.


The author's comments:

This poem was also inspired by my contemplation of life and its meaning, brought on by my best friend telling me that her mom had been diagnosed with cancer. This one focuses on all that we experience and enjoy during our mortal life, though it's very very small compared to the rest of our existence. Yes, I do believe in heaven, and I believe that we will live for eternity in a perfected state after we die. I hope this poem inspires people to be grateful for their four short minutes, and not take them for granted. Life is short, so enjoy every minute of it! :)


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This article has 4 comments.


on Sep. 8 2015 at 9:34 pm
Nightingale74 PLATINUM, Beavercreek, Ohio
46 articles 0 photos 152 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When you need something to believe in, believe in yourself."
"A poem unwritten is only a thought; unshared, unsaid..."

Thank you for your kind words! They truly mean a lot to me :) And no problem for commenting on your poem, it was my pleasure.

on Sep. 8 2015 at 4:17 pm
PoeticAtheist SILVER, Durham, North Carolina
7 articles 7 photos 19 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I go to seek a great perhaps."

Hey so you just commented on my poem. (thanks btw) and this will be my attempt at returning the favor: When I think of soul music, my first thought is expression of feeling. What I love about poetry is that it is the written form of soul music. Finding those people who encompass that idea is truly a gift. Everything in these 0.1 minutes of my life that I spent reading this were loved. Everything about what you have shared here is perfect.

on Nov. 22 2014 at 11:27 am
Nightingale74 PLATINUM, Beavercreek, Ohio
46 articles 0 photos 152 comments

Favorite Quote:
"When you need something to believe in, believe in yourself."
"A poem unwritten is only a thought; unshared, unsaid..."

Thank you so so soooo much for you kind words, Liv!!!! They really mean so much to me, and they truly do brighten my day! :D All your comments always mean so much to me...they make me feel like my words and my thoughts are accomplishing some good in this world, and that motivates me to write even more!! :D Again, thank you soooo much!!!! :))))

on Nov. 21 2014 at 9:30 pm
Olivia-Atlet ELITE, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri
325 articles 10 photos 1165 comments

Favorite Quote:
"To these the past hath its phantoms,
More real than solid earth;
And to these death does not mean decay,
But only another birth"
- Isabella Banks

This si just.. wow. This was soooooo gorgeous! I could feel the emotion rippliong through this poem, and the words you chose to describe our infinity, four short minutes, were perfectly eloquent. I love you go beyond how old you are now, and even to after your children have grown and gone. It made this really meaningful and jsut entirely beautiful! We do feel so many things in just four short minutes, happiness, sadness, confusion. You represented it so well... as if you've already experienced all 240 seconds of it. I truly loved this, and congrats on editor's choice! Keep up the GREAT work!!!