Losses and Gains

 

You do what is needed—

a shower each day,

dress accordingly

for work and play.

To the job on time,

occasionally late.

Cut the grass

and weekly shop

on Saturday.

Go to church

on Sunday,

kneel, bless yourself,

sing and pray.

You exercise, eat right,

pay the bills on time.

You fasten your seat belt,

drive the speed limit,

obey the rules of the road.

You drink in moderation

and swear only when alone.

You follow your routine,

and for the most part

have it made.

Day after day passes

much the same.

And mundane as that

may seem at times,

the way it goes for you

is pretty much okay.

Surely there were

losses and gains

along the way.

Marriage, kids,

family and friends.

But for all it’s worth,

you have managed

to make it none-the-less

to retirement.

You sit alone now

with only your memories

and the aches and pain

of old age.

Congratulations!

You look up at night

and the stars in the

heavens seem to

remain unchanged

It is then the

univarsal

wonderment

of it all hits you—

What the hell?

Light years,

you tell yourself.

At 186,000 miles

per second,

it takes light years.

                    -30-

Chris Hanch 12-18-2021