A Lifetime Philosophy

 

A year or so ago I wrote a piece about

some of those by whom I was inspired

in my life. I never thought or said that

I wished to be just like them.

The folks I mentioned (and so many

others I have known who shall remain

nameless) taught me to be myself and

strive to become the best I could be.

I have also made many a mistake along

the way, some of those due to selfish

desires; some were manifest by pre-

disposed genetic conditioning which

needed to be recognized and addressed

physiologically and psychologically.

Like every other human being, I am

naturally gifted and also infused

with my own individual idiosyncrasies.

Life can sometimes be a complex

and discordant cacophony. There

are choices to be made. I’ve learned

to be respectful of others who are

likewise doing the same along the

way.

I can honestly say, in the end I got

that which I so richly deserved.

Rhetorically speaking, isn’t that

the way it was meant to be.

Next time, I may try the ribeye

(medium rare, please), but for

now, the meatloaf will do.

              -30-

Chris Hanch 9-17-2021

Life and Time

 

You are now in a place

where unrecorded history

has faded away, a history

which made you who you

are today. You simmer in this

misty moment of time, sans

names and places, considering

only what you have become.

You look down at your trembling

hands and decide to trim your

brittle nails. And for today

in passing, something old

and unremarkably forgettable

within you continues to grow.

           -30-

Chris Hanch 9-14-21

Men Who Grow Old

 

An old man sitting on the stoop of his front porch.

I pass wondering what he is thinking. I said hello

and did not ask.

He looked up and simply nodded back at me, a

young man then. It took many years in passing.

That was a long time ago.

I have since come to that place, old and alone

and sitting on a stoop of my own. Men who grow

old are all pretty much the same. At last, I know.

                        -30-

Chris Hanch 9-10-21

The Bahamian Boys

Three preteen boys,

black Bahamian boys

at the Port of Nassau

approached me as I

exited the cruise ship

on a warm and sunny

Caribbean day, politely

asking for a handout

from me, a newly

arrived tourist to their

shores. I am sure

doing what they do

at the docking of

cruise ships every day.

It is what they have

been assigned to do.

What better way to

earn their pay in a

country where tourism

is a cash cow passing

through their largely

impoverished yet

beautiful island

country day after

day. And gladly

I gave them a fiver

to split between

themselves.

But there was a

stipulation I made,

their picture I wanted

to take in exchange.

And they were more

than pleased to accom-

odate. And thirty-five

years later that delightful

photo I hold in my hand

turns out to be one of the 

best lifetime investments

I could have made—

the veautiful vision

of three Bahamian

boys forever.

          -30-

Chris Hanch 9-9-2021 

Do It Yourself

 

A poem, it may rhyme sometimes.

Life, as I age, makes more sense to me.

The beast has been released.

Bees still pollinate

an act flowers appreciate.

God is good; God is great they say.

He or She, whomever your God may be

does not cater to you or me.

A prayer is a belief that God is omniscient

and almighty everywhere.

Today is another day I shall fritter away.

The Cosmos believes in creation and

causes catastrophic mayhem simultaneously.

So then, my friends, what is this all about?

I like meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

At this time in my life, that is what

I have come to know.

Pass the salt and pepper, please.

If you want a good poem?

Go write your own.

-30-

Chris Hanch 9-6-2021

Packed His Things

 

He packed his things

and left one day.

Got tired of living

his life that way.

Same old thing every day.

Had to make a change.

He knew some would say

that was no way to behave.

He could have told

someone why he felt

he needed to escape.

Can’t run away

from yourself some

were bound to say.

Wherever you go

there you are.

No one else to blame.

He did what he was

going to do anyway.

As for a reason,

no one else could say.

He packed his things

and left one day.

No rhyme or reason,

they figured.

Sometimes shit

happens that way.

         -30-

Chris Hanch 9-5-2021

Glorious Ways

Oh glorious ways,

I paid the rent today.

So to speak,

I am beyond my peak,

and to many that should

come as no surprise.

I can still find it within

me to wiggle my toes,

and see life passing

in the bat of an eye.

Praise be my luck

and good fortune,

I am still alive.

The buck didn’t stop

with me here, my friends.

On it’s winding way,

it managed to hover

overhead a bit,

then pass me by.

           -30-

Chris Hanch 9-1-2001