I come to simply share today
a twenty-two year love affair

Tripped the light fantastic, slow to dim
from young man to middle-age

Surf wet corporate rolling waves
rowing seas from Savior to Slave

Thirty-five when I arrived
the clutch, stuck, in overdrive

Road warrior, newly single
a teen's dream, but with money AND tingle

Young man on expense account
wild stallion ready to mount

Beautiful girls one night stands
or whatever whim my mind demands

Then I met someone at work
soon a friend just one of the jerks

Through hearing of my fantasy flings
frequent flyers of my fraternal wing

From Yuma’s sultry summer heat
to the snowy taverns amid winter wheat

Four years later she became my wife
to end, and start, a new way of life

Now I see the the world in smiles
to help those who live through trials

At first, for me, so much strain
learning patience to help the pain

found we are all the same
dropping the ball to win the game

But if you're in a sport not for you
walk before it bleeds the rest of YOU

I say it’s Ok to have some fun
when everything's nothing they'll soak in your sun

Days you feel the darkest night
when all you see is black and white

Know each day is one day less
you'll never live, so let's regress

Find your carefree cherished child
it’s waiting there somewhat beguiled

I only pray if you remember me
my sole psalm be empathy

So now I stop, say goodbye
your faces for me will never die

As I fold my wings one day and die Excuse me, while I kiss the sky

Goodbye

09/25/2007

Author's Note: This was my retirement poem. I was an Human Resources Manager for 9 1/2 years, coming from a much different life as a Scientist/Contract Lab and Production line auditor, mostly on the road (a 3 million-miler on Delta Airlines alone). My wife and I are getting ready for our 5-year move to Switzerland where she will still have a career. I probably have a job, but I have several options. I would love to only work three days a week. The rest of my time spent traveling Europe on the trains to write poems about all the faces and the places and...just...have...fun!

Posted on 09/25/2007
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