Regret (for Billy Collins)

There is this sense of the irony here,
and of subtle humor --  
clever twists on universal truths  
not producing a so-called horselaugh or even a giggle
but more a smirk of acknowledgment
or maybe a snort or a nod
or just a twinkle in the eye
indicating that yes, we get it and yes, it is funny
especially if one likes his humor  
dipping a baby toe in the mildly acidic waters of ironic drollery.
 
Which is, like it or not, where truth often resides.
 
Because we might as well accept the slapstick antics  
involved in trying so hard,  
earnestly navigating life's turbulent seas
and attributing our sunken ships to a god's desire
or to Him taking time from his busy schedule
to teach us a lesson that is always too late to be applicable
and is better known  
as regret.

#BillyCollins