tattoo

are tattoos sufficient coverage

to disguise the pasty yellow

of dying?

are the young warding off

the terrifying unknown

of death?

or simply decorating to celebrate

what cannot be imagined beyond

being forever young and able?

vulnerable with letting go

vulnerable with letting go

of health, cognition, physical abilities

confidence and sense of self

difficult not to strike out in defense

of what we thought we once were

so hard to accept the next step

into unknown realms is not an end

but a beginning to presence

without tears

senior living

come to die here

in comfort and elegance

as much as possible given

reality

struck as i walked north

toward large window

at the end of the corridor

with reflected parallel

rows of light leading upward

toward the blue purple

hills

as though toward

heaven