Thoughts on varied issues are flocking as I think back

On the past five unforgettable years-

Of your service at EPA, with mixed feelings and emotions, 

Drenched in hyperbolic   joy and occasional tears!

Friendship and skills, nurtured and nourished here in silence,

Have paved the twists and turns of my survival way-

To allow me to linger or graze along the remaining life,

On a friendship bridge that will never ever sway!

My journey at EPA began as an engineer,

Armed with environmentalism, public health, and airlines’ tale-  

While I chased the dreams of a rainbow, or landing in moon,                                      

And the colleagues tease me often as an “EPA shell”!

 

Gray hair and wrinkles on my age-weathered face today

Remind me your affection, friendship and gone by sands of time-

Blown away by the rotation of Sun and Earth,

Drifted through the dunes and rickety winds’ chime!

Coffee breaks, idle gossips, and voracious lunches

With you, or my young and old friends-

Became the obsession of my affiliation all the way,

To set the calligraphy of glittery brand new trends!

 

Ken, no doubt, I will miss you, your guidance, friendship,

And dynamic leadership in Region 6, every now and then-

As you step down from the comforts of EPA chariot,

For a retired life, full of hopes, and not at all in vain!

So, with a deep breath and a very good sigh today,

I am elated to wish you and your family well-

While in turn, I will wander and weep to say:

Among us, “Ken McQueen, the Regional Administrator ” will always dwell!!!

 

“Milestone”

January 19, 2021

 

Best wishes in all your future adventures and undertakings.  
All the best,
Jeff McAtee