Death Dream

When you die in a dream it goes something like this: Life goes "right" Your wife holds up the baby, says: "Look there, Daddy loves you" You cringe but know it's true Then, you grow old They lead you around by the arm Place you alone at a table You came here once--when you were able You grow older quickly, and have dreams "That's not who I am!" you say to yourself Swipe, kick. Get that ugly wrinkled mask off my face! It comes off--ghastly worms behind it You've spawned, grown old, died Falling away from the empty shell, arms flail Shaking off disgusting dregs of rotten flesh Too long inhabited You are now descending "Hey! Shouldn't I be Ascending . . . ?"