If Only You'd Had Time - Copyright © 2006 John P M Dillon -

If only you'd had time
We'd still be comparing notes
Sharing ideas
Teaching each other clever tricks
A friendly competition
To make our apps better
Our solutions stronger
Our customers happier

If only you'd had time
We'd promote our software together
Constantly spawn new ideas
Then polish, tweak, revise
For the best possible products

If only you'd had time
To outlive your mother
To reach your retirement dreams
To share your life with he who loved you most
We'd still be coding
Side by side
Still challenging each other
To reach for the moon
Still achieving every goal

If only you'd had time
I wouldn't be slouching now
Grimy fingers on a twisted keyboard
Wet eyes staring blankly at your code
Remembering your life
Displayed before me
In a programmer's arcane tongue
And wishing you were here

Your apps remain unfinished
Your objectives unmet
Your priorities nullified
Your pain ended
Your struggle done

If only you'd had time
I'd have been less critical
More understanding
A better business partner
When teamwork was needed most

The empty cubicle nearby
Reminds us of your absence
While we push to meet our deadlines
Programming frantically
Grieving for your family
Missing you terribly

I didn't know you well
Except for your coding style
And feisty wit
But if somehow we could turn back clocks
I'd have been a better friend
If only you'd had time