Reality WIns

*First published at Wordpress blog 10.22.2019 

I am going to lose the fight. You will always lose in a fight against reality. Decline, fade out, diminish, die.  It's  inevitable.  There’s no other way.  Well, except  for sudden death.  But still  I fight and fight and fight. I know the truth on paper and I feel the truth in my bones. But it doesn't matter.  I object. "This is unacceptable," I maintain. So what?  You will always lose in a fight against reality.

The slower response, the stumbling memory, the less fluid mobility, the ache as limbs adjust to the new day, the resting bitch face , dark circles, and crepe skin.  You can't wish them away.  They won't go away.  They'll only intensify.  And you can be as angry as you want, you can curse them and cry, but it won't do any good. You will always lose in a fight against reality.

"It's not fair!" I insist.  And reality laughs.  "What's not fair?" he sniggers. "That you are showing your age?  Or that you were allowed to live long enough that you can complain about aging?"

Reality wins. He always does.