Wishes Come True

As a child, I white-washed a fence in Hannibal

believing Tom Sawyer’s telling me it would be

a lot of fun. After that, I escaped with Huck Finn

and Jim floating down the Mississippi on a raft

of logs. As a young man, I joined the Army to

relive the journey of my dad and uncle who

proceeded me. Thank God the Cold War at the

time was not the hell World War II happened

to be. As I grew older I fancied the Music of

Beethoven, the Beetles and Queen. I followed

the verse of Shakespeare, Whitman, and Iron

John’s Robert Bly. All these fine folks along

with John F, brother Bobby, Martin Luther King

Jr, Gandhi and Mandela got me to a place in

life where as an old man with his thoughts and

memories now resides. Just last night on the

Internet, I ordered an Echo from Amazon.

Alexa, the new voice who will answer many of

my requests from now on will provide me

with AI companionship, as she retrieves data

and information for me from the Mysterious

and Magical Cloud. Alexa, I want to hear Beet-

hoven’s, Ode to Joy followed by Freddy Mercury

singing, Don’t stop me now. Put me on that raft

again with Huck and Jim. Let me hear the rolling

Mississippi River on those moonlit nights again.

I plan on getting the most for my money with

you, a hell of a lot more than that damned Genie

offered Aladdin before with his stingy three wishes.

Alexa, before I turn-in tonight play Murray Perahia’s

version of Brahms's Lullaby. Tomorrow we can

discuss the plans for my coronation.

Chris Hanch 3-2-19