Many of our cells
are not long-lived,
or lasting or permanent
in any way

(although some are there
for a lifetime)

Consequently, sometimes
cells self-destruct
and die
in a controlled and orderly way
preventing the spread
of damaged (or unwanted, or abnormal) cells

(this is a normal part
of an organism’s growth
or development)

It is essential, in fact
(this programmed cell death)
to an organism’s health

And it is natural
but it is not a complete
or total death
(which is also
a natural process)

This is called
apoptosis.