Recently Retired

Recently retired, my old man
Fifty years hard labour,
Time to get out the watering can,
Started early at sixteen,
Junior accounts clerk,
But knew early on,
Was Not his kind of work.

Eighteen months van driving,
Long hours,
Family compromising,
Ground floor stuck,
No ladder climbing.

Soon found work as an engineer,
Where he stayed for most of his career,
Now he is of age,
Shackles loose, open door cage.

“Thought this day would never come” he feared
Alarm clock switched off, traffic disappeared.
Gardening, crosswords and bowls awaiting,
Time to relax with Zero dictating.

Picture drawn by me @chickenburger