we treat all life so cheaply
until it’s gone
and then with head’s bowed
appropriately down
for all the world to see
line up one by one
in another endless procession
to pay what are called
“respects” eulogizing the lost
but why not celebrate
life daily (among the living)
instead of throwing
away again a gift not ours
to keep and given
for a purpose deeper than most
can possibly imagine.