021915   021924

Oliver Sacks posted news of his imminent death this morning.
In good health at 81 swimming a daily mile
he has terminal cancer, months to live.
His a positive attitude for the days remaining
having much yet to live
learning loving laughing being silly too
practical decisions have been made
neither evening news nor time for global warming
subjects for the future don’t belong to him now.
He mentions within the New York Times editorial
David Hume when he learned he was dying
wrote his autobiography in a day.
He contrasts Hume’s moderation with his own passionate personality
and yet they agree facing mortality can not be more detached from life.
Others approaching the end want nothing but
improvident spending because what could it matter
Sacks promises none of that.