Time after time
This is a poem about why I don't ever want to retire (again), it isn't about one real-life person but loosely based on a number of people I've known over the years.
Time After Time
Thirty years ago
They were all there
From the shop-floor
From the salesroom
From the office
And from his secluded
Segregated suite
Even the boss himself
The polite applause
The empty speeches
Slipping from the bosses mouth
Slipped just as fast
From his mind
As well rehearsed words
Drifted over his head
Faithful, hard working
Valued, respected
Gratitude, long service
He remembered only
Long
So long
So very long
The watch in a fancy box
“Real Gold”
They said
“Two hundred quid”
They said
“Should be proud”
They said
“Should be grateful”
They thought
They handed him his watch
Shook him by the hand
“Keep in touch”
They said
“Don’t forget us”
They said
Then left him
At the door
Alone
Retired
Finished
He won’t forget
Every day
As he drags
His aching bones
From bed to chair
And chair to bed
He remembers them
He remembers when
he was so alive
So very alive
And they retired him
Abandoned him
“You’ll need a rest”
They said
“Take it easy”
They said
He just needed something
Something
To fill his time
Too much time
Too much empty time
He must rest now
Marking time
Waiting
Interminable
Uncomfortable
The heavy watch
Weighs on his wrist
And he remembers
Two hundred quid
For fourty years
Not even tuppence a day
Wouldn’t even feed the birds
Not a couple of bob
Per sleepless night
Just twenty pounds per
Blistered and calloused finger
He remembers
Again and again
Too much time
Too much empty time
Time after time
Seamus Kelly
Sun 12th Oct 2008 12:23
Janet and Lauterra (may I call you Lo?) - Thanks for your feedback it is much appreciated. Its funny that you can write something and then it takes others to tell you how you made it work. You guys really help with the continual learning process. Hope to see you soon.
Seamus