DID THEY KNOW

His name was Mike. . . hers was Susan . . .
neighbors on my street. . .
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DID THEY KNOW

I wonder if they could possibly have known
what was ahead so soon for both of them . . .
there was no indication in the tone
of either of their voices
when I knocked one evening at their door
to ask for a contribution for cancer . . .
I had never been in their home before
but both were very friendly . . . inviting me in . . .
said they'd be quite happy to donate . . .
there was small talk and then ''goodbye's"
but not a hint of impending fate.

He went first
just about a year later. . .
it seemed to us that it was so sudden
but, oh, that disease is a traitor . . .
it sneaks in without warning
to rob, to destroy, and to kill . ..
to take away hope and eat the soul
and mock at the victim's will.

She followed not long after . . .
the same dreadful disease . . .
such a tragic, pathetic ending
blown to them ...on a hard, cold breeze
and when taken by this double tragedy
they left two teen-age girls alone
and, that they'd not live to see them grow up
I wonder . . . I wonder if they could have known!