it went by like that

the retirement looms
near.
the gold watch. the party.
the balloons.
the desk left
as it was thirty years
ago.
a coffee mug.
the pad
with which to ease
your back.
the plant on the sill
never quite
happy where
it sat.
no more good morning
so and so.
no more, so what
did you do last weekend.
did you see the game?
no more tears
at the water cooler,
or laughs
in the lunch room.
who wants my tuna
sandwich?
it went by like that
you'll say
to the new person
chipper at the keyboard.
fresh and crisp right out
of school. it all went by
like that,
and then you'll walk
away.