10th Anniversary

Ten years it has been

since I walked out that door,

when I decided it was time 

to be an engineer no more.

Times had changed at my works

the spirit gone to consultants,

we were becoming motivated

by strategies from incumbents.

Using our old muscles and minds

getting metal splinters cuts and grazes,

with oily rags, dirt and dust

 getting work done like the blazes.

A rollicking from the foreman

if the job was incomplete,

keep the production ticking over

after hours standing on concrete.

My job, being a physical one

bending metal on the fly press,

forging metal in the fire

my temper heated, I confess.

Then I would hear the lunch bell 

only half the day it felt slow,

as my final day approached

I just couldn't wait to go. 

Yes! We would have some fun

with games of cards, darts, football,

plus the occasional social drink

until we heard the gaffers' call.

Out through the factory gates

I looked behind to reflect,

those thirty years of graft

I leave with some respect.

Now the tenth anniversary

since that time in May,

when I collected my belongings

with not so much to say.

That one final farewell visit

 to that old nostalgic place,

I said cheerio for the last time

with the widest smile on my face.

*****