Sunset

As the Sun goes down time is called and the two batsmen ,
once great, capable of commanding any attack placed in front of them triumphantly turn and stride proudly toward the pavilion,
their bats, suddenly much heavier than they ever seemed before ,
held aloft with a tinge of regret yet still with such majesty which we will never never see the like of again.

One last look back over tired shoulders toward the square,
they cross the boundary rope safe in the knowledge that a new generation of young pretenders full of the precociousness and bold thinking,
free from the terrors of age such as they once were have served their apprenticeship and will take the burdenous mantle placed in front of them manfully and carry themselves with distinction such as they too may be called kings.

The crowd although quietly applauding are unaware of the loss with which they face,
only in time, when history delivers it's eternal verdict will the debt to these men,
masters of their craft,
become apparent to the masses who undoubtedly judge and cast opinion.

The death sentence of Retirement beckons for these two men,
And the passing from the yesterdays of self-assurance to the tomorrows of the unknown must begin.