Monday, October 21, 2024

when they no longer need you

i'd see
him on the highway
at 8 in the morning,
stuck
in traffic like everyone else,
but he was
retired,
done with work
after 35 years
of service.
he no longer had to
be anywhere
on time,
and yet, he couldn't help
himself,
he had to keep
going,
pretending to have
a place
to go,
pretending to still be on
the ball,
not dying and old,
but needed.
he'd circle the beltway,
drive through
the city,
and then
return to his little home.

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