STEPPING DOWN

At 6'O clock sharp

"Wake up! Wake up!"

So sounded the alarm clock;

My faithful companion, 

For a few decades now.

A few minutes delay,

Could she not tolerate, perhaps,

And pleaded she "please wake up!",

A feature seldom found in an Alarm Clock.

Respecting her plea, stretching the limbs,

Tossing right, I got up from bed.

And rushed to the Bath

For the morning chores.

As ever, at the kitchen door

My beloved greeted me 

With a cup of tea,

Steaming and enticing,

And remarked "why such a hurry?"

A wave of disappointment triggered

As I began to reconcile myself

With the reality.

Sitting back on the easy chair

And sipping the hot beverage

I slipped myself slowly

Into a day dream.

Two scores and a quarter years flew past  

After I stepped into the Alma Mater,

Aiding and assisting countless pupils

In search of knowledge and wisdom.

Fully content as I am now

Many attained fame

Many others achieved laurels

With little to complain.

Time is now ripe for me

To step down the stairs

I climbed with ease and enthusiasm

And make way for young blood and telents

"Give me the empty cup"

Bemused my wife

Adding "enjoy the freedom".

Poor lady by thought

Unawares of the vacuum

Created in me

Marched past femininly

Into her own empire.