Remembering the Date

 

During my drinking days

it was easy for me to

remember the date.

On the calendar every

day was the same.

Each day fell fittingly

on the 5^th of Nowonder.

            -30-

Chris Hanch 4-25-24

This Life of Mine

 

In this life of mine

while passing by,

you may be the reason why

which catches my eye.

          -30-

Chris Hanch 4-25-24

April Rain

 

Rain for the region I’m living in

is predicted for tomorrow and

the next few days. I was born on

a rainy April day more than 77

years ago way back in 1947.

Needless to say, I am grateful

for and love a rainy day. Plan on

tuning in some smooth jazz

music, perhaps some classical

tunes as well. I’ll put my head

back, close my eyes and glide

through some smooth and

groovy memories of my life.

Have few obstacles in my way

these days. No traffic jams to

negotiate, no appointed rounds

to make, just me the way things

used to be, and the gentle pitter

patter of a glorious April rain.

                 -30-

Chris Hanch 4-24-2024

Inevitability

 

The day will come

when you and I shall

have nothing left

to say. I Suppose life

was meant to be that

way. Then the days

will carry on without

us, a blank slate only

the wind, rain and

sunshine shall remain.

And eventually, I

suppose even days

such as those will

cease to be. In the

beginning wordless

days could not be

explained. Ever

since then we have

tried to create a storied

history for everything.

No need to apologize

for that which was

left undone. I feel

it only fair for me

to say I’m sorry

for my part in the

whole damn thing.

I suppose that is

what famous last

words are for.

Go in peace,

brothers and

sisters, go in peace.

            -30-

Chris Hanch 4-17-24

My Life, My Art on Display

 

A representative mixture of seriousness,

the silly and the sublime, a measured focus

contrasted with the hit-and-miss tendencies

of ADD.

The trained eye, the steady hand of paint,

ink and clay. Various styles applied. A sketch,

a painting or sculpture, a print, a poem, a photo

an essay put into play, Something, an impres-

sion real or abstract to portray.

A taste of Dürer, Picasso, Hemingway,

Bukowski, Adams, and Twain. Not the

elitist and museum quality, my style and

fashionable ways, rather the nitty-gritty,

nut-and-bolts, milk toast of everyday.

The animated and non-acclaimed illus-

trated in myriad ways.

Diversity, I would say, life captured,

reassembled and represented visually,

verbally in a multitude of ways. My life,

my art—alight, a Milky Way of creation

and expression. No further need to explain.

Simply put, what I have seen in my life

placed on display

                        -30-

Chris Hanch 6-7-2023

Cheers!

 

Cheers! Here’s to seventy-seven

birthday years and to all the places

I have been.

Cheers! Here’s to seventy-seven

birthday years and to all those

I have known.

Cheers! Here’s to seventy-seven

birthday years and to the many

who have passed away before me.

Cheers! Here’s to seventy-seven

birthday years, to all the highs and

lows, for all the joys and woes.

Cheers! Here’s to seventy-seven

birthday years, for all the give and take

which made me into who I am today.

Seventy-seven birthday years, I could

have, should have, would have had it

no other way. Cheers!

              -30-

Chris Hanch 4-4-2024

Missouri State Historical Society