the grey man

when he got out of prison
he got
a job mopping hallways in
an apartment building
in crystal city.
his uniform was grey.
his face
greyer.
he was sick, you could see
that.
he'd been in jail for a long
time.
too long.
it changed him. took his
life away.
but he mopped, he waxed, he
buffed those floors
to a high shine.
he almost smiled
at them, squinting down the long
corridor that led
past the beauty shop,
to the pool.
then he was gone. no explanation.
no goodbyes.
it was time. no need to
overstay.