A Substantial Fraction of Human Biomass

There were fine moments living
For the sake of being alive,
No prospects for contributing
To the meaningful pile

Of more mired bodies and ideas,
Nothing but casual attachments—
It was a ridiculous privilege
For a fairly young mature adult,

But also common, so common
Among older humans who didn’t
Especially want it, but kept on
Living for living’s sake anyway,

All over the world, in pockets
Here and there, the childless,
Career finished, creationless,
Not particularly attached people,

Bodies being bodies, going on
In whatever ways they did,
Living for the sake of being alive,
Considered such privilege.