he would turn on the television just to have noise in the room…made him feel less lonely…sometimes he’d watch pictures on the set…news programs…old westerns…The Andy Griffith Show…these kept him company…

and he would think of old days…days gone past when youth made him wander…driving out to Texas at the drop of a hat…heading into New Mexico with walls of red clay on both sides of the highway…no one’s seen a prettier sight…

but, now he was motionless…stayed in his room all day with the tv blaring…felt no need to leave anymore…just wanted to keep to himself…try to keep memories alive…remembering women from long ago…out in the Indiana dunes making love as night fell over Lake Michigan…kids being kids…he’d often smile when these images came into his mind…how could one not…

past is the past is the past is the past…say it a million times…and ask yourself…what was gained…