On His Retirement

Tom Dylan


Notice of absence from Tom Dylan
Sorry if there is a delay in responses. Sometimes life gets in the way. As John Lennon said, life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

Everybody crowded round Derek's desk

on the day he was retiring

the Office Manager said 'a few words'

thanking him for his hard work over the years,

and handed him the massive card

everyone had signed.

He was presented with the silver watch,

a token for all his efforts.

 

His colleagues clapped and cheered

calling for him to make a speech.

Derek gushed that it had been a pleasure working here

and would never forget the friends he'd made.

He wished them all the best for the future

and said he'd keep in touch.

 

In the days that followed his retirement

when his old phone would ring

the telephone conversation was always the same.

I'm sorry Derek doesn't work here anymore. He has retired.

Yes, he was with the firm twenty-five years, he really will be missed.

But all too soon the replies would change.

I'm sorry, I don't know anyone who works here by that name. 

  • Author: Tom Dylan (Offline Offline)
  • Published: November 9th, 2023 03:13
  • Category: Reflection
  • Views: 13
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Comments +

Comments3

  • Teddy.15

    So very true of life, we are far too often easily forgotten. Leaving the room or the world I suppose it's natural to come to this end. Leaving a legacy is a mere hope.

    • Tom Dylan

      Thanks for your comments, Teddy. A few of my colleagues have left the office recently, and I find it surprising how quickly they are forgotten, despite the platitudes on their last day.

    • Thomas W Case

      Excellent. Powerful and poignant.

      • Tom Dylan

        Thanks a lot for your comments, Thomas. Appreciated.

      • Positive Girl

        So very true. I was thinking the same things after I retired.

        • Tom Dylan

          Thanks for your comment. I find that at work, when people leave they are very quickly forgotten.



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