Stay in touch if you can

 

In the cosmos of increasing entropy
that my Inbox is,
A supernova bursts forth,
"My Impending Retirement,”
says the subject line,
of an email
from yet another colleague,

who weary of the dance,
and lengthening varicose veins,
is ready to step
off the stage.

Months from now,
close to the date of exit,
I will drop an email,
"Enjoy the next phase
after a successful career,
and stay in touch,
if you can."

And yet, I know
these words are perfunctory.

Our world lines, once entwined,
now being sucked in
by the gravity of life's
next big surprise
will no longer cross.