What, Are You Back Again?

However old you are,
People have died younger
Than you at this moment,

And people are dying
Younger than you somewhere
As you think about this,

And yet, on average,
You’re probably younger
Than most people at death,

And would feel a little
Cheated by terminal
Illness if you had one,

Maybe a lot cheated,
And you have been cheated,
As every life has been,

And maybe doubly so
By being capable
Of fantasizing life

Without death, beyond death,
Which for you would mean you
Never stopped returning

To awareness as you,
Full of your memories.
Go to bed. You’ll return,

Most likely, tomorrow,
And others will be dead,
Having died in your stead.