Something About Fashion

Mr Rogers, that’s what my wife called me

when I wore my favorite sweater on that

cold and blustery winter’s day. She did not

approve of the bland color or style. I reminded

her that instead there could have been hell to

pay, had I chosen differently from my wardrobe

to don the breastplate, leather and fur fashioned

from Hannibal's closet instead that day. And with

my best mild-mannered and wimpy smile, I felt

compelled to break out into song, Won’t you be

my neighbor? She refused to answer, winced at me

and walked away. As I see it, even Old Hannibal

would have gladly sacrificed a bit of his perceived

manhood for the warming comfort of a tightly-knit,

albeit nerdy, garment as this while crossing the Alps

on such a frosty and foreboding winter’s day.

Chris Hanch 1-29-19