And Now Poem by Les Littleford

I’ve given away the white board markers
emptied the files
shredded confidential pages

which no-one would read
and wonder
what’s next?

Images chase across my memory
long forgotten students frozen in time
issues now resolved beyond my consciousness

Retirement is a different state of mind
Purpose more difficult to find
Days no longer structured by a role
And meaning more elusive for the soul

Time, once the enemy,
now lingers generously
and I must control it
not it me

But there’s a butterfly freedom
previously denied
And the challenge is to use it
not watch it
flutter
away.