Swallow Up! Poem by Pasquale DiMeola

We were children
Laughing at the playground of life
We were brothers and sisters
Looking out for one another
We were the best of friends
Loving to be around each other
We were husbands and wives
Lasting until death do us part
We were model citizens
Exchanging ideas to better everyone

The hand over the hand shakes
The everlasting hugs
The cordial glances
The commiseration of loss
The congratulation for achievements
The stalwarts guarding against evil

Inasmuch as we loved peace
And cherished la belle vie
Regrettably many of us watched
In utter dismay
The poison slowly set in.