If earlier he would’ve known

Walks down to Boss’s office

and he indistinctly mutters

worked with you for long,

a nice period of 35 years

Evidently I wish to retire,

from d’ active profession

to take leave from you,

right moment has come

I ought to relax a bit now,

stay with members of family

my vigor getting depleted,

apparently ageing slowly

Boss looked into his eyes,

attempted to reassure

“pay heed, think over it,

u can work a decade more”

Can do an excellent job,

for my building projects

as u did a relentless work,

without slightest regrets

“Reflexes getting blunted,

already made up my mind

wish to have absolute rest,

no more work of any kind”

“But before u quit and go,

why not to do me a favor

embellish one more house,

one last project my dear”

With a fine artistic touch,

finish interior decoration

will be memorized forever,

for d’ ultimate work done

An undue duress of boss,

with reluctance he nodded

finish it fast, retire soon,

that’s what he intended

Worked decades for him,

adapted all his sincerity

it’s d’ final piece of work,

to apply his tuned ability

Faltered for an open denial,

feigned to finish the task

last minute loyalty shown,

agreed to take up d’ work

But had no iota of interest,

no effort, no supervision

no zeal to check d’ quality

no proper designing done

No artistic excellence used,

hurriedly tried to complete

hand it over to his boss and

get last assignment’s credit

House’s ready, le’ me leave,

Boss offered heartfelt thanks

be seated, have little coffee,

 please do wait for a moment

Your last day in my office,

u served me for long years

you truly make me proud,

for your sincere endeavors

“U configured a lot of house,

one of my dutiful soldiers

made incumbents pleased,

to be remembered for ever”

“All d’ best for retirement,

live a healthy life, keep fit,

as memoir of honest work,

I’ll give u a retirement gift”

From draw, pulled out a key,

handed it over to d’ carpenter

prized key of d' same house,

he had shaped without care

Tough to suppress d’ agony,

altered his body language

his mouth remained agape,

d’ thin eyebrows got raised

Hurting emotions overflowed,

truly no honest service done

Boss’s admire, turned him morose,

he wished,

if earlier he would’ve known