TAEDIUM VITAE

What’s the difference, he quietly asks
between a death wish and life-weariness
or taedium vitae, as it was first uttered
not too long ago, in Latin, in 1759

By what name, did it go before that date
and, tell me, is it bitterness or wisdom
to surrender the gifts of youth, life itself
and say, thank you, enough is plenty

Must one wring the fruit utterly dry
or can we return the ticket half-used
no longer enamored by this glinting orb
or its ration of enchanting vanities?