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(Written for a member of the staff to read to a retiring boss.  Strangely enough, her house once sank.)

BEV

We taught our children, "What you love
And cherish in your hearts
You have to share with others," but
Now Kimberly departs

And we don’t want to share her with
The world outside our door,
For haven’t we shared quite enough
Of Beverly before?

Yes, she has chaired committees, both
Statewide and in our town.
When asked to give her very best
She would let no one down.

And in that way we shared her
With the world through thirteen years.
Why now must we relinquish this
Great treasure we hold dear?

Were I to list the things we’ll miss,
On which we each depend.
This poem would be so long we’d all
Retire by its end.

Her calm demeanor in a storm
Of deadlines that fly by
Would surely lead my list of things
On which we’ve all relied.

Unflappably determined, she
Sets goals we strive to meet
And often we surprise ourselves,
Accomplishing great feats.

You’d think that, if we do all this,
At work with Kimberly,
She’d cut us slack when we goof up
And lose the bathroom key.

Or did she get fed up when some
Enthusiastic traitor
Decided to throw out her food
From the refrigerator?

Retiring because of lunch?
No, that I can’t believe.
It might be that new challenges
Enticed our friend to leave.

For I hear she’ll write a book
And count the census, too.
I’m sure that she’ll accomplish both
And then try something new.

For, though she’s earned a time of rest
To garden and to play,
She has a tendency to fill
Each moment of each day.

Has she got an hour to spare?
Then Japanese she’ll take.
Has she a ten-minute break?
Then gourmet food she’ll make.

If she were just to waste her time,
I really, truly think,
The shock would be so great that her
Whole house might start to sink.

WHOOPS! I guess that happened once,
And I’d have fussed and cried.
But calm, unruffled Kimberly
Just took it in her stride.

The way she takes in stride all woes
And strife that might beset.
The way she views each problem as
A challenge to be met.

Results have been quite marvelous.
Just read her resume!
Or, better yet, just talk to folks,
And they’ll have lots to say,

For from her years on council to
Her registration drives,
She’s accomplished many deeds which
Touched on many lives.

But we know that won’t happen, ‘cause
She is our dear, dear friend.
And jobs may lead to other things,
But friendships just don’t end.

And so, dear Kim, we’ll lift our chins
And strengthen up our nerve,
To say "farewell" and wish the best,
For that’s what you deserve.

© David Willis, Deborah Taylor