Euthanasia was dropped from the repertoire

several years ago

terminal facilitation was now the phrase

officially used

death by decree a fight you had to lose.

 

Danvers stood with the stiffening letter

the womb of

the envelope folded back, his bowels

took the brunt

of the clinical shock, his thoughts

sharply up against

 the stricture of faultless reason.

 

"The court has found," the letter stated

category 4A in

bold italics and "please come to central office

within twenty four hours."

 

The information pod on his kitchen wall

was initiated by

chip and pin, every detail of his life

went in there

day by day. In the accompanying leaflet he found

the appropriate details.

"Inactive productivity output" was his crime, no choice

no ameliorating voice.

 

The pod on the wall had moved to red

normally it was blue

indicating immediate action , resolution

he put his case

onto the bed, packed a few essentials -

identity cards

overnight stuff.

 

Danvers, fifty five closed the door to the rented house

like an empty tomb

as new occupants already laid their new made plans

slipped into

his electric car

and joined a meaningless queue.