So, It Has Come to This

The damn starter on the car,

scraping ice off the windshield

in sub-zero temperatures, no

longer. Gave up driving and

so-called pride of automobile

ownership several years ago.

State and Federal Income tax

hanging over my head, April 15^th

a cursed day making my brain

uneasy, my stomach queasy, no

longer. Made it past all that, sub-

sisting on Social Security now.

Ended raucous parties where
neighbors and friends smoke
up my place, drink to excess,

spill drinks, puke in the bath

and bed rooms, leave a hell

of a mess to pick-up after.

Past that stage of maleficence.

Rarely allow anyone to invade

my space anymore.

No more, Yes dear. or Why in hell

are you so late? The yard needs

mowing. I saw you making eyes

at that young woman at the mall

the other day. Time for new living

room furniture, move that sofa over

there. Tried marriage several times,

paid the price, and went my separate

and celibate ways.

Getting kind of use to being alone

and settling into my old age. No

longer get around so well. Arthritic

pain kicks my ass most every day.

Sick and tired of having noisy

neighbors above me, heavy feet

and noisy conversations. Pay too

much rent; goes up substantially

year after year. Smoke far too

much, going to get the best of

me one of these days. Regular-

ity and vitality are growing in-

frequent conditions most days.

It’s all a situation of give and take,

I find. Had I known things would

eventually turn out this way, I may

have planned one hell of a going

away party...at your place, not mine.

And no need to call and check on

me, you never do anyway. I’ll be

just fine until I’m not. The god-

damn cable bill is due, screwed

again. Higher than a bat’s ass—

criminal enterprise don’t you know.

Given my cuurent state of affairs,

I’m just fine. Mind your own bus-

iness and leave me the hell alone.

Just kidding...I am accepting

bribes and contributions.

-30-

Chris Hanch 3-4-2020