The Last Show

I figure if I keep writing every day,

there will come a time when I have

nothing left to say. It is this inevitability

which keeps me going. No one wants

to consider what their last word will

be. This is not a script for a movie

where the credits roll after The End

flashes before you on the big screen.

The popped corn and Milk Duds are

gone, the straw has hit bottom and

all that is left is an aggravating slurp-

ing sound. The theater lights come up

and as a final chorus, the audience

rises from their seats, and murmuring

to one another, they leave. If it was

up to me, I would remain seated

patiently waiting for another show,

perhaps next Sunday’s matinee. The

lights go down. And perturbed as can

be, the usher sweeping the isles shines

his flashlight in my eyes and says to me,

Sir, the show is over…I must ask you to

leave. I never considered my final word

would be, Okay. What a submissive and

milk toast ending for me--not going out

with that proverbial BANG! we so often

hear about. Ah life, and the last word,

one never knows.These days could even

be reduced to a friggin’ acronym…WTF!

Chris Hanch 7-28-18