Like you said...

<font face="Arial" size="6" color="D1D0CE"> we are old and afraid, </font>

<font face="Arial" size="5" color="C1C1C1"> ugly and weak, </font>

<font face="Arial" size="4" color="B6B6B4"> inadequate, impaired, </font>

<font face="Arial" size="3" color="837E7C">lost, and fatigued</font>

—<font face="Arial" size="5" color="red">average</font>—