A BODY FOR SALE

Press, 11 August 1979, Page 14

A BODY FOR SALE

By 1

WHIM WHAM

Ten years ago the human body was worth only 98c but inflation may soon up the value to an ego-boosting $lO. In the decade the value of the minerals and chemicals in a body has risen to $7.78 on today’s market, according to Dr Harold Monson, of the Illinois College of Medicine.—News. What am I actually worth? I mean, this Dust, this Clay, this Earth, That’s Me— corporeally regarded, All psychic Fancies being discarded — This bodily Lump, that wears my Face, And occupies my Scrap of Space — This Evidence that I exist, Which can’t be doubted or dismissed? Sir, would You recognise Me by My Soul, or metaphysical I? How would my Emanation fit Your visual Identikit? It takes a Body doesn’t it? Say what You like — but say as Much For Something you can see, and touch. But what about its Valuation In, say, a Customs Declaration? As Chemicals and Minerals purely, There’s NO COMMERCIAL VALUE, surely — Just SENTIMENTAL, as You prize It, With a few Friends who don’t despise It! I give It necessary Care, I clean its Teeth, I brush its Hair, I wash and dress It, keep It warm — Sir, all these Duties I perform — I watch its Weight, lest It grow fatter, This mere Ten Dollars’ Worth of Matter How many Cents for Manganese, Fats, Sugars, Acids, what you please? Add them All up, that’s what You see, Assuming that this Body’s ME—- — You pay Ten Dollars gladly For One who needs Recycling badly?