My friends often ask, "How do you pass the time Now that you have retired and still in your prime? With so much free time, aren't you bored to tears Having nothing to do after all these years?" Without reservation, I then reply "You would never believe how busy am I! I started at first to catch up on the things That I had let slide all those years of working. I cleaned out the closets and mopped all the floors Then washed all the windows and wiped down the doors. Searched through all the cupboards for things out of date And cleaned out the fridge of things we never ate. My house is clean, you can eat off the table To look out the windows now you are able. You can now sit on the loveseat and sofa Without fear of breadcrumbs, popcorn, and mocha. Traveling, a favorite pastime of mine Now I can go touring most any old time. No long range plans, on a whim I can go I just jump in the car with my backpack in tow. Why, just this past weekend I spent at the beach. Thought I would just rest and catch up on some sleep. But relaxation was out of the question. Counting grains of sand was my obsession. I was doing quite well up to one million one I figured by sundown this beach would be done. But I had to start over bout middle of the day Because an ant came and took one grain away. Some days I spend counting the hours that pass Making sure it's the same today as the last. To count minutes and seconds, who has the time? I'm counting strikes of the clock, bells of the chime. Yesterday was spent on the porch killing flies. I watched the grass grow until it hurt my eyes. Today I've spent on tomorrow's agenda. There's left in my schedule just a small window. I wish I had time to sit, visit with you. But, you see I am busy, so much to do! If I see a break I will pencil you in, But I'm busy with retirement until then."
Yvonne Golden. 7/22/23