To Help the Neighbors

The whole body seems to be blebbing
Since, ironically, some candidates
For apoptosis refused to die.

The inside’s being taken apart
By cells that should have disassembled
Themselves years ago. It all bubbles

With elaborate self-destruction,
And maybe it’s meta-programming,
Cells killing all as cells kill themselves,

But why, biologists want to know,
Why? The martyrs aren’t your cells that die
For your self but for your neighbor selves.