As darkness fell and the graying of life began, 
A conceptual ambiguity lay rust to my heart. 
First the colors went, 
And then the friends left next. 
Serial decay took root. 
And then time lay to rest, 
Wary of life’s Great Defeat. 
History on my doorstep rang the bell, 
My legs were leaded, proof of the disease clamping my breath. 
And then there came a serenity only belonging to the departed, 
Or to those in the process of departing. 
A slow succession in life of the strong-footed over the weak-footed. 
A meandering river, shriveling and conceding to the land; 
Coming to a forceful halt. 
My life ran dry before my spirit took flight.