"Mother dearest, my body is shivering I can't comprehend why - in midst of July" Mother dearest, perplexed at her kindred Walks away from her offspring with tears in her eyes Death calls her name Chastisement for all her sins "Men and women alike" Castigate them, O Mother Messina No exegesis, no rue on their lives Sluggish symptoms consume their existence Instantaneous closure of eyes But this household demands explanation They stare at her swellings, disturbed, terrified Four tiny feet tap along the foundation Intoxicated with pneumonic versions of hell Sinking their teeth into flesh of delinquents There is no evading - it's inside the cattle as well "I cannot breathe or bear this sensation Behold this contagion Who can I see? The doctors and priests will not allow my facing" The pain is writhing through her bones Alas, her end is coming close Malignancy travels by boat Carried by chickens and by goats Blood is spewing from the throat You cannot quarantine by moat No administration of last rites "In men and women alike" Decomposition does not rid these bodies Of the Great Pestilence