Haunted By Things

If I had known

It was the last time you called and left a voicemail
and I waited too long to return the call.

I saw you at the convention drinking jet fuel
and the weight loss invited conversation.

A mutual friend said you missed a month of meetings
but the word was that you were just busy.

You called and said, OK, so Happy F'ing New Year (in July)
and I thought something was wrong but didn’t explore.

The doctor said you’d last until the morning,
maybe even until noon
but you didn’t.

For what you do you get paid
and for what you do not do

You will be haunted
by things delayed.