The Genesis of Hope

The sick old liver-spotted, wart-ridden, saggy old man weeps- begs for absolution; tears of fear rolls down his eyes, the tooth-less mouth babbles and drools- the words coming out in saliva bubbles. He feels neither hot nor cold. His sensory receptors are worthless. He is alone. A leech crawls up his neck, starts licking his shit of a skin, 'perfect host' thinks the leech, 'won't even notice a thing, poor bastard'. The leech starts licking. This old man, this depraved creature in God's most cruel jest somehow notices a faint tickle up his neck. He feels alive again. He falls in love with this leech. He plucks it out and starts licking it passionately. They mate and give birth to hope.