Jerry Brotherton | + Follow Poet |
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Time To Retire

I suddenly found myself unemployed,
after the place I worked for hit the skid.
Didn’t think it should be hard to find work,
having the experience that I did.

I gathered my resume and papers,
applied to every corporate job in town.
I managed to snag a few interviews,
but each one had the nerve to turn me down.

I swear every HR person I met,
just graduated from college last year.
They were pecking at gadgets with both hands,
and they had plugs coming out of each ear.

Like robots on automatic they asked,
me a few questions and I answered back. 
Never bothering to look me in the eyes,
they put my paperwork under the stack.

They’d already made up their minds you see,
the minute that I walked in through the door.
They had decided by a glance my way,
I’m not the person they were looking for.

I am a fat man over sixty-two,
I do not have a bachelor’s degree.
So in their eyes it was an easy score,
already strike one, strike two and strike three.

For I understand the language they use,
from forty-six years on the other side.
That a sway back horse isn’t worth saddling,
If there’s no way it’s ever going to ride. 

We have several people to interview,
means no way in hell that you are the one.
We’ll call you when we make a decision,
is get your ass out because we are done.

I thought about maybe flipping burgers,
but it seems I’m too old for Micky-D.
I just as well retire and have something,
and really try like hell to stay healthy.

Because I can’t afford the insurance,
and pay the groceries and utilities.
If you see me begging on the corner,
toss me a dollar or two if you please.

Copyright © Jerry Brotherton | Year Posted 2023

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Jim Slaughter Date: 8/23/2023 10:49:00 AM This will hit home with lots of us, Jerry. I was fortunate, I guess, to have been able to retire (in 2003) back when early retirement was encouraged. But that little bit of SSA money each month made all the difference. I still continued to work part-time and finally stopped working altogether a couple of years ago when the pandemic began. And I don't miss job interviews at all. Login to Reply Jerry Brotherton Date: 8/23/2023 2:20:00 PM I have never minded working hard, but sometimes those interviews can be downright frustrating.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 8/22/2023 1:24:00 AM This is so true! When I arrived in KC at the age of 55 I had 23 one hour interviews. I watched their eyes fall as I walked through the door - I did not realize for awhile why; but I do now. At age 71 I am practically invisible to the young unless they NEED me then I am the first one they call. Bet they never thought when they hired me I would still be alive and kicking and loving my job 16 years later! Login to Reply Jerry Brotherton Date: 8/22/2023 9:20:00 AM And you are the one that they always call when some Teenie bopper failed to show up for their shift.

Sara Kendrick Date: 8/20/2023 3:31:00 AM Sad that a person with years of experience and training ends up unemployed. Our son-in-law ended up unemployed and he is nearing 60 so he did not find a job immediately. He took one paying 8.50 dollars an hour less and he will have to travel a little longer to get to work, but it is work with insurance, retirement plan, and vacation days. He seems to think he will like it better than the old job. Your poem has good rhythm, rhyme and flow which is so nice. Sara Login to Reply Jerry Brotherton Date: 8/20/2023 2:27:00 PM Thank you, Sara, for reading and for your kind words. Of course, this was a few years ago. Now they are begging for retired people to come back into the workforce. Unfortunately, they still want to pay like it was a few years ago. Have a grand day my friend.