Out by Ten

Dear team
Two paragraphs
Kind ones
(Out by ten)

I wrote the letter longhand on a Sunday
Typed it up neat with the good coffee going
So Monday could be simple, and it was
Two paragraphs. Grateful, clear, and done —
No grenades, no speeches, no scores settled
I thanked the two who deserved it by name
And let the rest stay unnamed. Mercy, both ways
Printed it warm off the shared printer
That jammed for everyone but me today — an omen —
Put it on his desk under a good pen
Packed one small box: a mug, a cactus
The photo of the team I'll actually miss
A drawer's worth of five strange years —
Two lanyards, a fork, an award for something
A teabag museum of late nights
The emergency tie I never once wore
Security walked me out like a headline
Big Steve carried the box unasked
Said 'good for you' at the door, quietly
The revolving door gave me a lap of honour
The receptionist winked. She's seen everything
She rates exits. I think I placed

No bridges burned. I don't burn bridges
I just stopped paying the toll
Handed back the lanyard smiling —
My neck's been aching for years

Out by ten!
(Ten a.m)
Sunshine on a Monday morning
One box, one cactus, one open road —
Out by ten, and free

Notice?
(Served it)
Bridges?
(Standing!)

Do you know what a high street looks like
At ten-fifteen on a Monday? Neither did I
It looks like a secret the employed don't get
Pensioners, pigeons, a dog tied up outside
Reviewing everyone favourably, and one free woman
Ordering the big breakfast, table by the window
Watching the buses with nowhere to be on one
Reading a paper cover to cover like a rich man
Letting the tea go lukewarm on purpose
The waitress asked, "day off?"
I said, "first day." She said, "of what?"
I said, "haven't decided," and she grinned
And brought me extra toast on the house
A pensioner two tables over raised his tea
'To the first day.' The whole cafe joined in quietly

No bridges burned. They'll say kind things
The kind things are even true
Handed back the lanyard smiling —
Watch my shoulders remember their height

Out by ten!
(Ten a.m)
Sunshine on a Monday morning
One box, one cactus, one open road —
Out by ten, and free

Big breakfast
Window seat
Extra toast. On the house
The cactus flowered in September
Apparently they do that. Nobody told us

The cactus lived on my desk five years
In bad light, no water, thriving out of spite
And I used to think, that's me, that's grit
Then one Sunday I thought
Or I could just be a plant
In the right window
So I found the window

Out by ten!
(Ten a.m)
The cactus gets the good sill now
One box, one road, one Monday shining —
Out by ten, and free

First day
(Of what?)
Haven't decided