Poem posted by David Noah on Thursday, 5 January 2023, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

FOR 32 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE

my wrist would read in ALL CAPS

that’s if I got one

my dad got one

my dad’s dad got one

turns out millennials don’t hand 'them out

throwing myself a party

i know exactly who’ll invite

who I won’t

turtle on a fence post

that’s what i am

kind souls afforded my perch

surprisingly no dread

regrets for sure

free is what I feel most

recovering capitalist

burgeoning activist

support groups abound

thank you bob, and mike

and crupi, elana, brenner and emeka

amjad and kazi and the sisters in juba

thank you glenda and james

clean hands, even you zenbu

but most of all reggie

you added adventure

color and spice

bitter-busting truth telling

turns out

to exit stage left

is where all the fun is