Death is Reliable

I do not fear death

But I do fear age

Watching time transform my visage 

From a powerful black stallion 

To a grey and withered broken horse

Destine to clop in circles 

Chained to a post 

Ridden only by five year-olds 

Who still believe in cowboys

And then one day bottled up

And sold as glue

I do not fear death

But I do fear failure 

The inevitable cracking thud

Of yet another ball slipping from my hands 

And rolling downhill

At unreachable speeds

And as I give chase

The streets are lined with disappointed faces

Of young and old alike  

I do not fear death 

But I do fear captivity 

That controlling hand

Like a taloned claw

Bites into the back of my neck

Demanding conformity 

And my sense of self bleeds out

Forming puddles on the floor

Leaving behind a fleshy machine 

Who’s very fuel is a tincture

Made of lies and shame 

I do not fear death 

For death is reliable 

It sings the oldest song

And if nothing else

The song is true 

And strangely comforting