Many of our cells
are not long-lived,
or lasting or permanent
in any way
(although some are there
for a lifetime)
Consequently, sometimes
cells self-destruct
and die
in a controlled and orderly way
preventing the spread
of damaged (or unwanted, or abnormal) cells
(this is a normal part
of an organism’s growth
or development)
It is essential, in fact
(this programmed cell death)
to an organism’s health
And it is natural
but it is not a complete
or total death
(which is also
a natural process)
This is called
apoptosis.
inspired by The Conjugation of the Paramecium by Muriel Rukeyser