Something About Sameness

Struggling to bend over in the morning to

put on my socks upon awakening,

excruciating arthritic hip pain, each and

every day the same.

Take morning medication and lead the

dog out to the patio to do her business.

A few puffs from the first cigarette then

warming a cup of coffee in the microwave.

The same methodically as I did yesterday,

and the day before, and for countless days

in a row.

Nesting in the recliner and turning on TV:

first the weather then Morning Joe on

MSMBC, same old, same old religiously as

part of my daily routine.

Everyday the same—same pain, same clothes,

faithfully retracing the same wobbly and

limited footsteps and movements everyday,

day after day for months on end exactly

the same.

Snooze and sip a bit. Dog between my knees,

wakening around 7Am, tune TV to Classical

music on demand. Reach for my cane, tentatively

head for the bathroom—morning business and

second cigarette.

The never ending trail from beginning to end is

worn into the carpet intrenched into my mind

revealing a personal interpretation and realiza-

tion of the blind leading the blind.

Settle into the recliner once again, read some

poetry from the same poet as the day before.

Check to see responses on Facebook from

yesterday, all run together the same, day after

day. Post some photos, repeated from days,

months, years before. Who cares anymore?

Even the day, name one from any day of the

week, could be the same.

The muse whispers a word or two and I’m

off to writing something new. Thank God,

this brief relief and a modest gift of change.

Tomorrow, perhaps a shower and clean

socks. For today, safe and secure wallowing

in the etch-a-sketch pattern of everyday

sameness I have made.

Not to worry, inevitably one day a change.

That day, something different is bound to

arrive, and what more can I say?

Stay tuned, same time, same place…

And as always, you all shall be the first

to know should I survive.

Oh the sameness? The dog, even she

doesn’t seem to mind.

                          -30-

Chris Hanch 5-18-2020