THERE ARE THREE THINGS, THAT DON’T COME BACK;
ONE IS THE RELEASED ARROW, ONCE IT’S SET ON TRACK.
IT WILL NOT SWERVE, ITS’ SPEED WON’T SWAY;
IT FLIES TO WOUND, AND IT FLIES TO SLAY.
THE WORD YOU SPOKE, AND THEN SOON FORGOT;
REMAINS IN MEMORY, IT HAS PERISHED NOT.
IN OTHER HEARTS, IT LIVES ON STILL;
AND DOING ITS’ WORK, FOR GOOD OR ILL.
THE LOST OPPORTUNITY, ONCE IT HAS PAST;
WILL NEVER AGAIN COME, THE CHANCE HAS BEEN CAST.
IN PAIN YOU’LL WEEP, IN VAIN YOU’LL YEARN;
HOWEVER, THESE THREE, WILL NEVERMORE RETURN.
1995 BY WAYNE J. WAGAR
