Old Habits

Years ago when I was a young man roaming the city

streets with my camera, I was in search of people and

faces to capture on film.

The busy city streets were perfect for locating intriguing

and interesting faces, you know, those with a story to tell.

Old people on benches resting or passing time,

the homeless, weather-worn, aimless and disheveled,

all subjects of curiosity for me.

Excuse me, sir or madam, but I couldn’t help noticing

you there…

I would strike up a conversation, and generally they would

freely offer their storied information.

Someone who would ask then listen was often a god-send

for them.

Well, dear reader, those informative years have

long since passed for me, and now I have all these photos

to refresh and relive those cherished memories.

To think, back then in some small way, I may have made a

difference in a lonely person’s life.

Nowadays, I am the old one, home bound alone with my

infirmities, with no passers-bye to pay attention to me.

Once in while, I will step in front of the bathroom mirror

and see in myself the old lonely person the younger man

I used to be often sought to find and entreat...

My God, man, just look at you! Where in hell have you

been?

You see, I find that I can be far more direct and intrusive in

the questioning of me.

Anyway, I realize these days, old techniques and settled ways

are damned hard habits to break.

                                      -30-

Chris Hanch 5-17-2020