Fool's Golden Years

by A.G. Dumas
(Fair Haven, NJ)

Two elders, huddled and crying, sit on
debris where their beloved home once stood,
until a dark vortex came down the road
destroying their past and present – for good.

Granddad's birthday gathering was to be
a most joyous time for family and friend,
until the antigen crashed the party
sending Pop to the hospital – and his end.

Grandma sat in her lonely two-room flat
as a noisy box staved off the heat wave,
until a storm came and made it go still
then alone she sweltered – into a grave.

We're told old age will be as sweet as pie
Why are so many fooled before they die?