Wherever

 

Looking back on it (75-years of life),

in wonderment and surprise, I am

amazed that I am still alive. Many

I have know over the years have

expired much sooner than I; some

passed younger and many more

departed on the older side.

Could be sturdy genes for me. Good

fortune and lots of luck nonetheless,

you see, for I have taken many risky

chances.

Lord knows, I have not followed

good practices health-wise. I’ve

smoked like a chimney and imbibed

more alcohol than would be con-

sidered moderately wise.

Lack of physical exercise at times,

and fatty food with heart-clogging

properties, I have ravaged with

sumptuous willful delight.

Why hell, metaphorically speaking,

I’d say I have crossed many a busy

street carelessly against the light

without looking both ways.

I’m somewhat of an anomaly, more

like an eccentric oddity. There are

quite a few chumps just like me

walking around still active in the

game of life’s hopeless reality.

I am sure of one thing, nothing

in life lasts forever, and one of

these days now will inevitably

be the end of me.

Should you still be around reading

this today, you just may be the fool

walking behind, beside or in front

of me. And wherever in hell it is

we’re headed, let’s see who gets

there first.

                  -30-

Chris Hanch 2-8-2023