Retired

Retired…
         No longer mired in
The ever-vexing void of daily drudge,
The oily sludge of slippery slopes,
Of muddled hopes
And put-off dreams with threadbare seams,
Trying desperately to cope.

No clock to tease,
No boss to please,
No daily deadlines left to squeeze
A harried pace.
The only race deciding when and where and how
The day begins,
And when it ends
Resting peacefully in place.

The only causes are my own,
The battle choices, mine alone.
I choose (or not) to be inspired.
It is my privilege…
         I am retired.