Consider This

Consider: When we are children
sulking in injured self-regard
from punishment for ill behaviour
the child's imagination sorrowfully
conjures injury or death intervening
and the Gothic drama of parental
anguish as the well deserved outcome
befalling those who led the child
to the misery of feeling abandoned.
That scenario serves as a sop to satisfy
vengefulness. The child matured
in time learns -- or does not -- how
to navigate such emotions' and
resentments' shoals of self-harm.
Then in old age, a revelation and
a responding reaction. To cling to
life despite expectations of due
departure and inheritance. That
those upon whom once was lavished
parental love and pride can damn
well wait their turn, for the elderly
are not to be rushed into surrender.