the long reign of Ernie

in his

compression socks,

and black

beret,

his aviator sunglasses

tilted on

his scarred nose,

he sits,

still a king

in his lazy boy lounge

chair,

remote in hand.

crackers

and cheese on the tv

tray.

a bottle of Ensure

between

his knees.

children,

now old, at his

beck and call.

the king lives on.