Once by Jonathan Galassi

Once
the train has left the
station you can't take it.
Once the promise has been
broke you can't unbreak it.
If the letter has been sent
you can't rewrite it.
If the cigarette's been smoked
you can't not light it.
Now the candle's snuffed
you can't see by it.
Once the seat's been sold
no one can buy it.
The phone is disconnected:
don't talk to it.
The window's painted black;
you won't see through it.
The scotch tape end is lost,
you can't unwind it.
The earring's in the lake;
you'll never find it.
And now the money's squandered—
you can't give it
back. And time is short;
you have to live it.