already dark

i see him
limping in the parking lot.
he lifts a hand
to give a weary wave,
says hello.
he shuffles towards
me as i carry
bags of trash to the curb.
hey, he says. hey, i say back.
we talk about the game
that just ended.
retirement.
moving. the wife, his wife.
he whispers,
I don't know about twenty four
seven.
i'll keep working.
why not.
i'm at a desk now.
it's getting dark out.
it's warm for winter.
kids are still in the street
racing around.
I still have two bags
of trash
in my hands.
good to see you, he says,
his wife is at the door,
calling him in.
good to see you too,
I tell him
and go the edge of the curb,
near the woods
where it's already
dark.