Plea Bargain with Ageing
Another friend, another ailment, spasm of fear,
share their shock, their dread, their indignation.
Awful shaming thought, I’m glad it’s not me,
next time it may be. A mounting tally
of ailments now, stacking up to derail
certainty. Quick – begin plea bargaining.
I will gather friends closer in, will give
money to charity, food to the food
bank, walk ten thousand steps a day, eat no
cheese. In exchange for another healthy year,
or season, even one week. The plea judge
retires to make a judgement, the jury
is out. What power do we have ? To live.