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.