This is my 2000th poem, br though not all are posted here. br A lot of my early work br just failed to pass the test of time br and have been left locked away. br I always told myself that when I reached 2000 br I would retire from poetry. br At least for a while. br I have other writing projects br that need my urgent attention br so I am saying a special thanks br to all those whom over the last two years br have read my poems br and left a comments here and there. br I also want to say thank you br to those who read my collaborations br with Jo Jo Bean and Meggie Gultiano br as Jo Jo Bean, Dodgy Dave and Meggie Gultiano, br and my alias Howard ‘Howie’ Johnson. br I say thank you to every one of you. br To say that I am leaving is not quit right; br I will still be reading and commenting br from time to time. br It is just that I will not be posting br for the foreseeable future. br Thank you once again for all the support br you have given me br and God Bless every one of you.