Another day?
It'd be too late
only moments
to regret:

mission uncompleted
duty not executed
the promise reneged
the skills not displayed
the intended words unsaid
the inspiration unheeded
the love neglected
the prayer desired
not articulated

and what's left
is but the heartache-

the green meadow
where once in childhood
you and your friends played
on each bright morrow
might be parched
by the scorch
of time's uncaring sun-
and you'd find
every rose dead
and buried-

the stream where
you your paper-boat
once did navigate
might have been drenched
and what's left
might be debris and dirt-

the hidden tree
which you climbed
where you built
your secret home
might have been felled
and steel gate girded -

ah, how wise was Horace
who this advice wrote
Carpe diem---seize the day!
( reminding us
the day to celebrate
ere time would have fled
and we'd but live in lonely regret)

An old man now I am
through the past years
as I scan
and this I've learned:

time and life
for no one
will  they wait
if forfeited
what's left
is but the deepest regret