Death was gentle when it took him,
Found him completely unaware
Had never even realized,
When it caught him in its snare

How did this happen?
Well, this man was old, tired, worn
His senses were departing, near gone,
And he was looked on in scorn

Old age is many things, beautiful and not,
And he was growing scared
Losing friends and himself,
No other experience compared

One day like any other, he laid down to rest,
Drifting off into blissful dreams
He didn't stir when the mountains erupted,
Nor for the terrified screams

Families tucked in each other's embrace,
Knowing the terror they'd see
Even if they managed to fall asleep,
None were as ignorant as he

Knowledge could be cursed, a burden,
Some things are better left unknown
Oh, they learned this lesson that day,
As their lives turned to stone

But he was unaware as the city fell,
Bricks crumbled; wood set ablaze
When toxic air crept into the streets,
Ash and smoke producing a thick haze

He stirred not when the smell of burning flesh
Invaded all the homes
He was gone when that fire engulfed him too,
And burned away his bones