Yet Again

 

I have a computer. Old age hasn’t stopped me from

using modern-day technology.

I have a color printer and photo shop software which

allow me to record, enhance and reproduce my lifetime

activities.

I have the ability from home to communicate and

investigate worldwide information and images electronically.

I have food enough, necessary household and personal

supplies, an adequate bank balance to sustain me for the

time being.

I have a faithful dog who accompanies and relies upon me

for all her needs.

I have music of all varieties to entertain me, and volumes

of poetry to read.

I have photographs, writings and memories to inspire me.

I have grown into this life where pain impedes and

willful stubbornness intercedes.

I am fortunate indeed to open my eyes to the dawning

of yet another day where once again I am given the glorious

and mysterious green light—proceed!

                             -30-

Chris Hanch 8-11-2021

The Loss of...Oh well, You Know

 

Let’s pick up where we left off yesterday.

Oh now, I forgot what I was going to say.

Ever forget what your phone number is,

blaming your hesitation on the fact that

you never call yourself? That happens to

me occasionally when I have to give out

my address. 115...er...a, No! 116...um…

Hold on, gotta get a piece of mail I’ve

received. There it is, hold on a second.

Oh shit! It’s the gas bill I forgot to pay.

Don’t bother, I’ll call you back shortly.

What was your phone number again?

I had it just a minute ago. Good thing

I gave up my car a time ago. Kept for-

getting where I put the damned keys.

You mean my cell phone keeps a record

of the number I called before? And

Alexa can remind me on the day the

gas bill needs to be paid? But I did

forget what I was about to say. Oh,

it wasn’t you I talked with yesterday?

              -30-

Chris Hanch 8-10-2021

Only for Today

 

He awoke this morning

having had an off and on

restless night of sleep.

At his advanced age that

had become the norm for

him. He was grateful

that he was able to

rest at all. Many his age

were not so lucky. He

was aching from his

chronic arthritis, but

had been somewhat

refreshed by the sleep

he managed to get.

Was today to be a

repeat of yesterday

and the many days

preceding? For him,

possibly. He and his

pup needed their routine

to make it through

the lonely hours of

disabling confinement

to their small living

space. There would be

coffee, music, cigarettes,

TV, reading and writing

to occupy his time. He

knew pup was satisfied

with treats, meal time

and the napping comfort

of his lap. Now, the world

at large, that vast malaise

of law and disorder was

another story of concern.

Pandemic virus, global

warming, raging forest

fires in the West, in Italy,

Turkey and Greece, the

recent flooding in Belgium

and Germany. Afghanistan

was under siege by the

Taliban as the US continued

its military withdraw. The

world outside seemed a

perilous place. But he

realized only for now,

this day, this moment in

time, he, his pup and their

routine were safe. He would

get by just fine on what sleep

he was able to get last night.

There were also the occasional

nap times during the day

which would refresh him.

He sipped his morning coffee,

situated the pup in the recliner

between his legs, took a long

slow drag of his cigarette, and

began to write, not having the

foggiest idea where it would lead.

              -30-

Chris Hanch 8-9-2021

Marathon Race

 

Marathon Days

Some days I dare the biology

of my condition and old age

to get in the way. It’s a mind

game I tell myself. I entertain

positive thoughts of the now

and fond memories of the past

to come into play. It’s a mental

marathon race against the disa-

bling effects of time I run each day.

-30-

Chris Hanch 8-8-2021

Transmissions of Humanity

 

Artists, writers, musicians,

teachers, animal lovers, families

and friends, medical professionals,

comedians, traveling folks,

and those who are at home alone,

everyday and unusual stories

by the score, pictures galore,

Black, White, Hispanic, Native

and Asian, ethnic diversity,

a world of people, places

and situations at my fingertips,

shared experiences

of humanity, a daily sustenance

on which to feed, choices to reflect

upon or reject, that is what you,

my friends, through Facebook

bring to me electronically.

Screw the fake news

and partisan bias

the division and rancor.

It’s the worldwide reality,

the commonality and individuality

of humanity I seek.

           -30-

Chris Hanch 8-7-2021

My Order has Shipped

 

I received notice by e-mail, My Order

has Been Shipped! I am excited. I paid

electronically. My order went directly

to where I am not sure. Could have been

the East Coast or the West, perhaps some-

where in between.The supplier picked,

packed and gave the goods to a shipper

who will transport and deliver it to me

directly today. I can hardly wait! I need

what I ordered and it’s on it’s way. Oh

Happy Day! And to think for a price I,

Little Old Me, put the US Commerce

Wheels into motion. Me, the primary

initiator and recipient. Why, this is better

than front page news which is rare these

days with so many newspaper publishers

having been tossed to the wayside so to

speak historically. Oh well anyway, head-

lines be damned! My order has been

shipped and Lord willing and the creek

don’t rise, it will be delivered to me today.

Glory Be!

                 -30 -

Chris Hanch 8-6-2021

Kansas City Star, That's What I Are...

 

1972, my first day on the new job.

Sitting outside in my brand new

Nova, the parking lot of the Kansas

City Star Newspaper. Listening to

the radio, and to my surprise the

Roger Miller song, Kansas City Star

is playing.

Wow! How appropriate. Must be

a good omen of sorts, and I’m

psyched. I won’t go into particulars

here, but the new job lasted 6-months.

Turns out display advertising sales

held no promising future for me.

I should have listened to Roger

Miller’s lyrics closer. It was a humor-

ous ditty about a cowboy star on local

TV driving a Cadillac which may

have afforded me a more fitting

future.

To this day some 49-years later,

I still sing the lyrical tag line to

Miller’s silly song--”I’m the King

of Kansas City. No thanks, Omaha,

no thanks a lot! Kansas City Star,

that’s what I are…Yodel-deedle

ay-hee, you oughta see my car.”

              - 30 -

Chris Hanch 8-3-2021