On His Retirement

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.