It does no good to say I told you so.
That irritates the hearer to a snit.
The speaker was correct, and needn’t throw
a boast about. It’s inappropriate
and doesn’t work. Like when you’re judging me,
you say you’re not but talk like you’ve the clue
to how to live most satisfactorily,
and I’d be well-advised to follow you.

But see, I started figuring at five,
revising and amending when I could.
I listened to myself – I stayed alive
and conscious – my conclusions did me good.
Alone and well, it now looks like I built
a form of vigorous survivor guilt.