Ripening Old Age

At the moment, I am situated in such

a position that my pain can take a break,

a few minutes of relief from pestering

me. Everyone, everything except time

the Jet Stream and the Mississippi River

flowing to the sea need an excuse to rest

along the way. Now, during the calm I can

better appreciate that I am in the age of

Social Security where income taxes no

longer need to be paid, and the ubiqui-

tous automobile expense and hassles

have been permanently erased. Oh

Lordy, what a lucky son-of-a-bitch I am.

I can pick up and read any book of my

choosing at any hour of day which pleases

me. I can catnap, sleep and rise without

schedule or alarm. I can eat most everything

I like without putting in my teeth. Now, if

only I could function psychically with mental

faculties exclusively without positioning the

pathetically aching physical me, re-awaken-

ing and agitating my pain, I would truly, as

the old saying goes, have it made in the shade.

Imagine, a simple thought, and sharp snapping

of the middle finger and thumb, and the needed

deed be done. Damn arthritic fingers anyway…

even that snapping shit hurts like hell. And now,

wouldn’t you know it, I’ve got to get up and go pee.

Chris Hanch 2-7-19