Warning

Disasters will strike. Despite the infinite
Precautions you may have taken, the day will come
When, numb-lipped in the dentist's chair perhaps,
You won't be able to put another nickel
In the meter, or when you suddenly discover
The transmission won't unlock into reverse.
And what will you do then — with everybody
Honking, and all the service trucks away
On call? Or your eye may stray into
The wrong column — common stocks, time —
Tables, taxes for your income brackets.
One little slip, and you may find
Yourself on the wrong train, making bad
Investments, questioned by a federal man,
Falsely accused even in a death
Because you left a funeral too soon.
Watch every step: you will not be so lucky
As barefoot birds, singing on the voltage lines.