“Who wants to live for ever?” Freddie Mecury of Queen sang.

You say that you do, and so many would agree.

“Who wouldn’t want to be forever young?” you all ask.

Tell me this: where do you think you would find such immortals? Striding the banks of the Sein? Sipping Cappuccino on the Palazzia? Gazing across Asia atop Everest? I understand why you might believe such fancies. But you would be wrong.

You will find immortals on the battlefields. Amid the carnage and screams, ears ringing from explosions. Taking life after life, whether with sword strokes or bullet strikes. Enduring the last breaths of friends.

Why, you ask? Simple. Immortals want most what everyone wants most.

What they cannot have.

bucket list

oh, the adventures after

retirement

within the silence, echoes

of divine laughter

for 2nd October 2021 prompt: Gerry Muse #278