One life, well lived-in:
Corners worn down, angles softened,
    Habits formed, repaired as necessary.

This fleshly envelope, this garment, this shroud....
Affection, yes, there is some of that.
A walking collection of memories,
A catalogue of old indignities,
A progressive, successive series of selves....
    Today, a summary only.

One life, well cared-for:
Appearance kept up, income provided,
    Old world flavour, modern conveniences.

This protoplasmic container, this body, this vessel....
Antagonism, yes, some of that, too.
A history of psychic inoculations,
A sequence of documented traumas overcome,
A massive, passive, maudlin sort of existence....
    Today, a vehicle only.

One life, well lived-in:
Tours by appointment only, please.