what to claim in the gallery of my remains

A white buffalo never seen

artwork consumed by time

words retired unused

fatherhood abused

a clock frozen at noon

penance prescribed for venial sins

blasphemed ducks on a frozen pond

what to claim in the gallery of my remains

motherhood never cured

love and onions left unpeeled

misguided childhood revealed

rusted daggers of revenge

friends hung out to dry

prayers left untried

what to claim in the gallery of my remains

dolphins late for school

pinholes in summer skies

a brotherhood of bald face lies

Einstein theories overruled

flat tires left roadside

over and again one day at a time

what to claim in the gallery of my remains

a gratuity of mistrust

ashes to ashes in the wind

a home run in the bottom of the ninth

a horse with no name

more than you or anyone will ever know

a springtime view from a cracked window

elephant tracks across the bathroom floor

red beets hung upside down

three fingers held up at a rally

an octopus with missing teeth

what to claim in the gallery of my remains

excuses and lies left untried

god-empty promises to mankind

a fishing reel with no line

time wasted without shame

slurped up beer at a super bowl game

your picture and mine in black and white

framed in the dead of night

all of which shall evaporate at sunrise

without worry or fanfare

forgotten the day after tomorrow

sleep tight

                              -30-

Chris Hanch 6-23-2023