To-day's the day he's sixty-five;and so to-day he leaves.
And yet he dresses just the same, although he wears a rose.
He works away like any day, and not a sigh he heaves.
There's things that only he can do, so much he only knows.
He sends out notes and tells his boss,
the course that he should take
The afternoon is trouble-free: he has a little 'do'
and someone's baked a cake.
A speech, a gift, a joke or two, and then he slips away,
Away from the drink and the talk.
Author notes
Not so long ago, say, 40 years, all the talk was of the 'leisure generation'. Goods would be produced so efficiently, using automated technology, that there would be a generation which was only required to work very short hours.
For the present working generation, we are told they may need to work on, perhaps to 70 and beyond. Although the cost of labour in a very automated plant is minimal, companies still move to China or elsewhere to grab those few pennies, and in order not to have to be burdened with retirement costs and health-care.
Then the world is surprised when GM and other giants go down the toilet.
How's that for a rant? I only meant to say, that retiring at 65 will seem like a dream in the future -- assuming that present predictions are more accurate than those of the past.
Re the poem itself, I always marvelled at the cheerful demeanour of retirees: didn't they see that they were headed to-wards the grave, I thought? Now, I think differently: 65 is the new 30.
Do better!
Comments
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Reflective
"He works away like any day, and not a sigh he heaves.
There's things that only he can do, so much he only knows."
And like the hole left in a puddle, in which one has stepped, this irreplaceable legacy is embraced with placid response.
Howard
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I knew a gentleman that would retire from one profession, take off for several months, then begin a new profession, working until he had to retire from it, as well. I agree with what you've said here, both in the poem and your notes. I recently turned 51 and have long known that my generation would be fortunate to be able to retire at all. A good and true rant, indeed, Poet. 
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The piece is very well written, of course.
I'm glad for your author's notes - even with my close connections to those industries, I wouldn't of made that association with the piece.
I read some articles years ago indicating that in order to have a "happy" retirement you must have a plan for your time or goals to attain - I think the indicators point to you being a goal oriented kind of man.....
I'm looking for work, so let me know if you could use some help with those tasks!
I hope you won't mind if I include you in a growing list of mentors here, would you?
In your profile you mentioned some translations of Arabic poets you'd recommend - I'm interested!
I'll be back for more!
& Blessings, ~ Jan ~
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SoS
Goals! Targets! Management by Objectives! God no! It used to drive me nuts at work.-- there was a general idea that nothing had been achieved until these were concocted: odd when you consider that somehow, the Victorians had constructed vast cities, water-mains, sewage, railways across the land, a huge network of the underground tunnels and track and signals for the London Tube.
I hope you find some income - but I don't think a topless cleaner liver on the other side of the Atlantic would really be quite up to the job-description! Especially a more or less spiritual one.
Seriously, no, of course, i would not, but I have plenty of limitations, believe me. But should there be anything I can help with, do ask.
As for Arabic literature, may I first suggest that if you have not already done so, you read Edward Fitzgerald's 'translation' of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, who was actually Persian. It is just so nice.
You could start with a book entitled 'Arabic Literature' by RA Nicholson; it is old, but it would take you a long way, with little quotes and explanations, and it covers everything to the 20th cent.
Alternatively, you could see if you could get a book about Pre-Islamic poetry called 'The Seven Odes' by AJ Arberry, published in London by Allen &Unwin, and in New York by the Macmillan Co, in 1957.
You could just Google some famous names (mine) Abu Nuwas; Farazdaq; al-Mutanabbi. These people were poets, Abu Nuwas being something of a hedonist, and frequently locked up by his boon-companion and fellow poet, the Caliph Haroun al=Rashid. He seems to have been gay or at least he is claimed by the gay lobby, and some of his poems are about boys; so I wish I had chosen another name. he is, however, the most famous of the Arab poets, and as you will see below, all is not necessarily what it seems in Arab verse. Farazdaq I selected because he represents a genre: being nasty to people. There are many, many, others.
The Arabs to this day are much affected by poetry.
I shall continue privately
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Too amiable?
I hit the wrong button. Please forgive me if I go on a bit.
Having been a civil servant, I had to leave at 60, 20+ years ago. Couldn't find another job (didn't try very hard. A pension saps the will), taught myself to play the bass trombone, and filled in time (where did the time go?) until the Net added another dimension to existence.
But while your poem hits appropriate buttons, I find myself wondering who's to blame. My father, a shop assistant, later plumber, kept a wife and raised two boys by his own work. Not a luxurious existence but it sufficed. Have we been brainwashed into wanting so much that two incomes are essential? Isn't that what our verses should be about? -
Too amiable?
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hendiadys
Me? Amiable? Surely there must be some mishtake! Or maybe you thought comments were a bit too good to be true?
Best
Edward
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As an oldie myself I enjoy my retirement because now I can choose to work or not. (Only part time) At the moment it's 5 hours a day on a horticultural nursery, but it does get harder to be on my feet all that time. I do worry about my children and grandchildren and the possible length of time they will have to work. Mind you I was working at aged 15, most today if in further education it's early 20s if they can find a job.
I remember the leisure years we would all enjoy. I remember thinking then who was going to pay for it all.
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Thanks
Hoticultural nursery -good
5 hours --mmmmm.....
I suppose one has to think, that whatever projections are being made now, the probability of them being accurate many years hence is not very great. And even if our offspring do have to work long years, that may be good for them, if they are able. In theory, even I , now 68, would not object to a little light work, and it seems to keep people active and ward off all those horrible things. In theory, that is!
Edward
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Superb Plus
'tis a very fine write, indeed. You have expressed your thoughts quite well, with good imagery. Thanks for sharing this one with us. -
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Thanks v much for commenting and all
I shall try even harder next time to earn a clappy.
It was a real enough thing. Mainly, I think, that the reality of the situation, had not hit home: they would not trot off to work to-morrow, nor the next day, nor the next. No-one would appreaciate what important work they had done. I was a bit like it, too. -
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You are quite welcome. I was out of clappies or you would have gotten one.
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I would retire next month if I could...but mostly because being a mother requires a non stop working hours. But I see what you mean; my father delayed his retirement as long as he could. Here in Belgium, men may retire when they reach the 65 years of age, for women the age is 63. I still have 20 years to go, will I make it?
I like you poem, always with an easy flow and thoughts to ponder.
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Mari
My children are banking on winning Euromillions to relieve them of the need to do that horrible w--- thing!
I am glad you liked it. Just as a matter of interest, since you told me a while back that you have difficulty in getting the stresses in English, this one, apart from the last six words, is iambic, i.e. de Da de DA de DA ..
Best
Edward
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Yeah, great rhyme scheme. I like the poem a lot. I blame Bismark for the retirement age.
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If I could retire at 45, I would!! I love the flow of this poem and the rhyme, well thought out and not forced. Good job
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some people do die, soon after they retire, and never do all the wonderful things they planned. I'm not sure that proves anything but I myself plan to work after 65. There have been times when I couldn't work so I value the worth of work. I wouldn't be working at something I hated and I wouldn't likely be working full time though.
Thanks for your interesting write. I hope the man who retired was happy in his retirement.
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Retirement
Thank you, Judith. I was not really thinking of a particular person - I had witnessed so many such scenes: people who didn't normally consort with one another saying what good sherry it was (always poison), and then getting on to discussing some work-stuff. I could never understand why one had a fixed age for retirement: it would have been much better to have been flexible, and let people begin to work short weeks and job-share, until they felt like fading away.
I did know one man who, after 40 years, waited till mid-day of his final day, said good-bye to one person, nodded at me, picked up his suit-case, and walked out, never to be seen again.
Pip-pip
Edward -
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Any kind of work get together can be fraught with problems. Maybe your friend had the right idea, avoiding hypocritical fuss. That's another reason to be glad I am the sole proprietor of my own business.
Making small talk to cats is easier!
Judith -
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Retirement
Yes- my sister is a painter, and has just turned 72, and apart from a need to get money, she is still improving and doing what she does. Not many artists retire, do they! Good luck with the cats. I just read TS Eliot's cats thing, for children. Much nicer than his serious and incomprehensible poetry!
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Your author notes - only too true! My Dad retired in January this year, he's now a sprightly 66, and too damn right; he feels like he's 30 again - and up until recent events, has been acting like it too.
I thought this was very perceptive; we were given his story [retirement] the events [his last minute thoughts for his boss, the little party they gave him] and then ... he felt so lonely slipping away on his own; but truth was? Maybe some of the people were only there for the free cake .. it's happened before, and will again!
Short but complex; and to the point. I enjoyed this!
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I had to smile at all those little details you picked up on, like the way everyone thinks they are the only one who can do a particular task, and dispensing advice on the last day that no one is interested in, lol. That’s the same every time we leave a job
One of my colleagues retired a couple of years ago. I saw her recently, she looks ten years younger. And she certainly looks a lot happier!
I liked this poem, it’s your quiet and reflective voice again that makes this so enjoyable.
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Being 72 I concur with your attitude. Since, as you know from reading my work, I'm a lyric poet (others might call me something less flattering). At any rate I have developed an interest in songwriting and plan to journey from my home in New Mexico to Austin, Texas for a look see at the music biz. If my heath holds perhaps one day I'll write song, until I dream. Keep up the good work.
Happy trails.
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It is quite amazing how easily we slip from the work force because we are 'too old', then take advantage of our second childhood and have a ball. I like your poem, simple uncomplicated and a pleasure to read.
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