It Took Only a Moment

It took only a moment
     for lovers to conceive her life
     and begin a story carried in time.
It took only a moment for soldiers
     to bring her residence
     in time to an end.
It took only a moment to press
     against the trigger then pause
     to imagine her parents making love
     twenty-two years ago.
It took only a moment
     for what began with great joy
     to end in deep sorrow.