the mean while in poetry

the worst regrets
aren't the things
you can see happen
as they're happening

the worst regrets
are the ones you don't see
for months down the road
for years
those are the ones
that make you shake at night
those are the ones
that fuel your future fears

the things you could have done
that you didn't even know
were options at the time
then you're asked
"why didn't you try that?"
when someone drops that dime
that's when
you break
the nightmares where
you're still awake

the worst regrets
aren't the spectacular fuck-ups
are not the sucker bets
the worst regrets
you don't even know them yet
until three miles off-shore
you see that ship has sailed
but the ticket's in your hand
that's when you know
you failed

I mean
where do you go
after that?