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.