Better than the Alternative?
by Tony Dawson

 

 

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.”

Too bad that we are withering unlike them.

Age diminishes us both physically and mentally.

It can happen deliberately or accidentally.

While we go to pot the dead do not.

It’s quite impossible to stop the rot.

We are still upright though no longer erect.

After so many years, what do you expect?

Yet we are told the alternative is far worse,

that walking is better than riding in a hearse.

I sometimes agree with Roger McGough,

I would much prefer to be quickly seen off…

Once you are old and your grapes of wrath

have withered and shrunken in the bath,

it’s probably more sensible to draw your last breath,

kiss everyone goodbye and embrace your death.

 

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