Among My Failures Is One of Timing

by Sarah Sloat

If I could have roused the horses,
I'd have arrived at the ocean in a butcher's tunic.

If I could have outrun sun-up,
I'd have redrawn the map with the wolves included.

If I'd been able to reach the farmhouse,
I'd have made that space between my teeth.

If I could have revised my vision,
I'd have lived outdoors honoring my promise to God.

But neither I nor any of the angels ever get to work on time.

I can't speak for you
but if I could have blistered in the alarm clock's buckshot,

I'd have blistered; five more minutes,
I'd have gone up in flames.