Workers who have toiled for many years often look forward to retirement eagerly. The unknown author of the following poem seems to be singing a tune of disillusionment, what I like to call the Retirement Blues.

The poem, in its own humorous way, sums up the author’s somewhat jaundiced view of retirement. However, I would guess that most active retired seniors are considerably more upbeat.

But, let’s listen to one couple’s rendition of the Retirement Blues:

I worked years for someone else
so that I could retire.
I dreamed of sleeping late
and sitting by the fire.

I dreamed of long vacations,
enjoying stage and song.
But, let me set you straight on that concept,
It is simply wrong.

I did junk my safety glasses
and the work boots that cramped my toes.
But the rest of it had a mind of it’s own.

This is how it goes -

My wife had been thinking of retirement
and had plans of her own.
She had spent much time with the kids
but now they are grown and gone.

We sold our cattle and horses
so we wouldn’t have that chore.
I poured concrete over my alarm clock
but I still wake up at 4.

I get my eyes checked on Monday,
Ann gets hers checked the next day.
I go for a colon check on Wednesday
and pass my wife going the other way.

I have a dental appointment on Thursday,
Ann goes for a test on her heart.
Friday we go get prescriptions filled
and browse a while at Wal-mart.

Saturdays we just stay home
and try to get the paper work right.
We can’t take any overnight trips
cause we can’t see to drive at night.

Restroom confusion keeps us out of church
on Sunday, and we really do hate that.
There’s nothing wrong with the restrooms
we just can’t remember where they’re at.

We don’t need to plan next week
just make sure we can drive,
and not forget where the hospitals and clinics are
We’ll need them to survive.

So, don’t build your castles too high, my friends,
while strolling through the clover,
This is a typical week in retirement
and on Monday, we start all over!

Author unknown

If you’re retired, I trust you’re adjusting well. If not, smile and view this phase of your life as another adventure. A positive attitude and gratitude for what you do have can take you a long way. You don’t have to sing the Retirement Blues.

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Pat Moauro is a former veteran journalist, and currently a writer and editor specializing in seniors’ issues. For more articles, check his website at maxxseniorslife.com