One That Got Away Poem by Thabani Khumalo

Mission: to be the king.
I had to gather some means
alone into the world,
I had to follow the bars.

I ran before the pre,
I was later than the post -
as busy as a bee,
all day I was chasing time.

I swam across the sea,
I got there before the ship,
rushing to make the time for
me to call you my queen.

I was fighting my foes,
you were fighting your foes;
calendar and the clock,
foes we'd never defeat.

I am blaming myself -
I beat me dead beat
for leaving you for dead.
I was chasing a dream;

Money to buy a ring,
money to buy a house,
money to buy a life,
money to buy it big.

You'd have set under a tree,
you should have waited for me,
we could have made it home
together you and me.

Story of my life -
one day would pay for all -
scoundrels who never paid,
scoundrels would take your life.