The Economics of Survival

How many of the dead,
how many lay dying
before life goes copper,
becomes a penny,
a useless coin deposited in a waxy paper cup by the register.
A magnanimous gesture of humanity?

In the end, why say good bye?
Because in the universal scheme of things I am
but a fly on the wall,
a speck in the universe,
a nail biting child who is always accused
of going to extremes
when I witness the torment
the anguish
the helplessness
the futility of hanging on.

Please
deliver me without warning
so I do  not have to face the struggle
of those I have loved
of loved ones I have lost.

Tell me, please
Is this what we call eternity?