The Long Walk

It’s like one of those long walks

which leads nowhere. You’re

therapist recommended, no

presribed it to stimulate the

serotonin in your brain, suppos-

edly to help combat your current

episode of depression. So then,

this is a battle you’re fighting in a

hundred years war which was

handed down to you genetically

at birth. What in hell, you’ll not

live long enough for it to end after

the passing of a century anyway.

One foot ahead of another is the

only hope of relief you seek, and

the sidewalk, the grass and wind-

ing path through the trees lead

you around in a circle you have

traveled so many times before.

Near the creek, you find a log to

sit upon. You reach for the pack

of cigarettes in your pocket. There

should be a lighter in there too.

You fumble about in both pockets,

but no. Must have left it on the

dresser at home. You get up and

walk back the way you came. A

lot of damned good this walk did

you today. And why in hell am I

talking about myself in the second

person anyway? Suppose I’d rather

have this happening to you than me.

Chris Hanch 10-20-19