if we are not careful

   the accretion of years

   the accumulation of losses

   the indignities of fading senses and sagging flesh

can calcify the veins of empathy

maybe the petrification is inevitable

no matter how much we

   meditate

   cleanse

   vacation

or can we accept everything as life

all the cracks and stiffness

and not resist slow transmutation into living statues

until we’re forever still in our surrender

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