We Grieve

Swept in like the Cholera
 A balmy afternoon
 Heralded by a foot soldier
 Who knew the words of doom

 The day begat a mortal blow
 The lungs forsook the wind
 To pacify the vile design
 The apex of our Sin

 Time was flint to valor
 Nature had its way
 Buckled erect shoulders
 To lie down in the grave-

 Of hewn earth made of the many
 The multitude in Death
 Who swept in like a whirlwind
 And caught all in its mesh

 Once we pass the living plain
 All memories unweave
 And though we are as vapor-
 Still in this life we grieve.