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Ode to Less and Less

My job as an administrative executive at a large publisher was eliminated over two years ago, after almost 18 years there. Although this is never good, I was treated respectfully, paid a very fair severance and retired this March. In some ways, this fact and, later, “the recession,” may have sparked dormant creativity. I began to re-teach myself how to write, composing haiku or light verse almost everyday. I also expanded my illustrated notebooks and journals, kept for years, and began making original collages.

In March, I started a small consulting firm, and Christie’s is my first client. So, I am at Ground Zero of what I think of as a deep and profound cultural shift, rather than merely a “recession.” I have a daughter who is 23 and a son, 25, both striking out on their own as well. I believe that traditional ideas about “retiring,” reaching a point where we no longer have to work, are unhealthy. I believe that we should aspire, not retire.

One suit
in the closet
stays lonely.

A single word,
a book
won’t be.

Bassho’s poems,
though bold,
not Tolstoy.

Less of quite
a lot of lot
might be

A kind of more
to some,
but not to me.

Thomas McDermott is an artist, writer and business advisor, living in Rye, NY. You can read more of his writing at http://thirdgarage.blogspot.com/2009/06/algorithm.html

Tags: laid off, poetry, recession