Humility
It's not death
that devastates, especially
for those who believe in an afterlife.
It is the demeaning decay of
the body that once was
vibrant and capable, that we fear.
Embarrassing reduction of abilities;
debasing 'procedures' that examine
and evaluate the rate of our decline.
We are introduced to better living through medication;
maintenance by apparatus, that reminds us
we are closer to the exit than ever before.
Yet we hang on while new exercises and habits
get us up and going,
using paraphernalia that assists in our humiliation.
Degraded and diminished, we are kept alive
with reduced capacity and dwindling viability.
The collapse of what was, no longer supports our newly
undignified selves — mortification being our new garment.
by Annette Gagliardi
Published in December 2022 issue of Quagmire Magazine at: 