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Retired

Retired

they don’t sleep

at night

they don’t wake up

in the morning

in late afternoon

they shuffle

there’s nothing

new in the paper

or on the tube

they’ve lived it

there’s nothing in the store

they’ve bought it

there’s no need for pills

they’re used to it

to this ache that never wanes

inside their shells

they’ve only just met

at the dime drugstore

and shared a milkshake

and held hands

and traded rings

and bought a house

and found the bedroom

their favorite room

and babies were born

and work was work

and children grew up

and they grew old

and the pilot light went out

and the night drew long

the wait unbearable

and they can’t even scream

they’re too tired to talk

they don’t sleep

at night

they don’t wake up

in the morning

in late afternoon

they shuffle

TL

Published inTamiko Lowery