Poem: Planted in Service – Blooming in Honor

I wrote this poem to share at the Retiree Recognition Ceremony which was held today. I actually wrote it this morning. The theme was the title of this poem and I wanted to show the relation between a soursop tree's growth and the retiree's journey as Public Officers. Let me know if I am on track.

Do you remember your first day as a Public Officer?
Sharp, neat, excited and thrilled…
You were like that little soursop seed
Ready to stretch, extend and grow
After the first year, you got settled
Better understanding your role
Making connections
Just like that seed that became a little sapling
Still needing care and support
To keep you growing
And building confidence
You got that 10 year pin
And you knew you were destined
To be a career public officer
Similar to that soursop tree
That had become taller
And started to blossom
You had ups and downs
And sometimes those blossoms fell off
But you maintained the course
And eventually saw the fruits of your labour
These fruits – literally or figuratively
Gave inspiration, love and support
To the customers and the new sets of Public Officers
You dared to dream and spread your wings
Like that soursop tree
That is now resilient – it survived Irma and Maria
And gave sustenance during Covid19
You like this tree
Was planted in the Public Service
Blossomed with excellence
Fruited the next generation
Laying a path for them to be even better
And today you bloom in honor
Because your work was impactful
To the growth of this territory
As you journey forward, keep blooming
Just like that soursop tree
That provides healing, shade and beauty

in the Virgin Islands and across the world

© Linette Rabsatt 5-23-2026