Are We Always This Fragile?

Are we always this fragile?

A broken bird, 

ribcage, wings, and leg,

splayed in odd angles

a single human falling off

a flaming airplane

into the ocean

inside the metal box, 

the rest of the survivors 

engulfed in flames

a paper boat swallowed by an estuary

un naufrago con pulmones de arena

a dead cock roach

eaten by ants

skin cells meeting 

their expiration date

lungs exhaling dust

lovers undressing for the first time

latidos del corazon

starting something new

sinking deep into an addiction

bringing children into the world

imigrar

hunting and being hunted

being highly focused on a task

taking friendships, 

and tomorrow for granted

travel, always travel

training your body to survive 

exertions and overcome 

great challenges

your left ankle collapsing 

down the stairs

hips braking from old age

food poisoning

drinking cold spring water

diarrhea

breathing pine forest

and the smell of burnt 

copper components

in the same pot 

from which you cook

a honking road rage

escalating into gunshots

tires skidding, 

metal bending

broken bones

being permeated by 

sewer stench

and warm water

and silence

rats dancings

babbies coddling

alone in the room

asking the question

Are we always this fragile?