He had seen the sights
from New York in the East
to the Golden Gate in the West.
He had sailed across the Atlantic
and flown across the Pacific.
He had served 3-years in the Army
and was honorably discharged.
He had listened to a wide variety
of music from Beethoven
to Basie to the Beetles.
He had moved to and lived
in more than 26-places
in his lifetime.
He had seen JFK live at
a rally in 1960,
and in real time on TV
had watched men land
on the moon.
He had illustrated drawings,
had painted murals and paintings,
had written essays and poems,
had photographed people
and places across the US of A
and Internationally.
He had married or lived
with four women,
had sired two children,
had watched four grand children
grow into adulthood.
He had taught art,
and had showings,
had given live poetry readings
and performances.
He had mowed the lawn
weekly in the summer.
He had painted house interiors
and exteriors,
had performed maintenance
on his own cars,
had constructed a patio,
a family room, and a garden.
He had worked myriad jobs
from laborer to administration,
to middle management,
to director of art .
He did freelance work
and at one time owned
his own business.
He was a jack of many trades
and nearly a master at one.
Over time, he had three dogs
who loved him unconditionally.
And that was more than he could
say about the women who
came and went occasionally
throughout his life.
To date he has lived 76-plus years
and has sported a beard for over
40 of those.
And now today, he and his dog
live alone.
He has no claim to fame.
He being me, is satisfied, gratified,
old, arthritic and gray, settled in
time and place.
-30-
Chris Hanch 4-21-23
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