planned obsolescence.

From the beginning,
tiny beings
      Sprout, flutter,
                      breathe.
    Nurtured, flourish.

In the middle, 
demanding presence.
    Cough, sputter,
                          reach.
    Denied, repeat.

At the end,
wisened disciple.
      Devote, retire,
                      retreat.
      Remember, obsolete.

Author's Note

Keep comments honest. It's all I ask.