Cordiali Saluti

Thank you for your collaboration
You were a most esteemed
Collaborationist
And your great spirit of sacrifice
And all the time you spent
On our common cause
Will never be forgotten;
And in the future
You can be sure
We will always take into account
Your noble teachings
And of course your seriousness, versatility
And great humanity
More than colleagues
We were family
Please let me know then
At your earliest convenience
Where to deposit the amount owed
And what remains
Of your fees
We wanted to give a party, too
Nothing too special
Just a farewell glass of wine but
As you know, your reserve
And your aversion
To any form or gesture of greeting—
Some thought it arrogance
But only because
They didn't really know you
So they've asked me
Who have always
Been your closest
Collaborator
Among all those
You work with
And please don't trouble yourself to come by
Because we will see to
Returning your personal belongings
And everything else
That you left behind
I can't even imagine
All that you'll be able to do
With your time, no longer under a boss
You surely have a passion
A dream, an old desire
And finally the chance arises
To give yourself body and soul
To what only yesterday
Had seemed an illusion
Believe me, it may be true, we're alike
But passions are what make us
Different and a little special
Enclosed please find for your review
The account settlement statement
Along with my most distinguished
Sincerest, and kindest regards