LIFE Poem: CAUSE OF DEATH, by Desteny Tolbert

We as people in this life
are affected by our fear of death.

Not death itself,
but our thoughts,
our assumptions,
our feelings,
the perception of ourselves.

We fear life itself—
that is the cause of our death.
Your death.
Soon to be mine.

However,
the more specific causes of death—
if I were to list them—
are living,
fearing,
breathing,
all at the same time.

Not the cliché—
catching illness,
dying of old age,
murder,
or accidental, grotesque ways.

Simply being actively alive,
allowing yourself to still experience
your way of living—
that is the cause of your death.

How you choose to live your life
is what kills you.

Ironic.

Inescapable.

Your fear of living this life
in the most profound, meaningful way
is the reason you’ll die.

Your fear of being human—
making mistakes,
crying, appearing weak,
looking stupid for chasing hopeless dreams,
living in every moment.

Your cause of death is you—
your own hands,
your own mind,
your wants, needs, and thoughts.

Your heart,
your brain,
your soul—
what kills you.

Not the unexpected.
Not the uncontrollable.
But you.

You are the cause of your death.

Let that be physical,
spiritual,
emotional,
or mental.

You kill yourself.
We all are the cause of our deaths—
even others’ deaths.

It’s just a question of how you’d like
to kill yourself during this life.

And if you’re willing
to sacrifice happiness doing it—
or experience failure in doing so.

So,
How will you kill yourself?
What will be your cause of death?