That Which Remains

I have amassed a lifetime of words,

   this library of vocabulary, a legacy of

linguistics I have saved for my old age.

   Nothing profound, nothing revelatory

left for me to say. So 70-years has

   brought me to this, reclining with mem-

ories of all these pronouns, adjectives

   and verbs swirling around—(He and She

come after You and Me.) I used to think

   I knew what I was talking about, however

now, as my Lexicon of Livelihood continues

   to recede, I have but this which remains—

Remember me, if you please.

   Turn out the lights, and don't slam the door

when you leave.

Chris Hanch 10-8-17