"I had assumed that I would age with all my friends growing old around me, dying off very gradually one by one. And here was a plague that cut them off so early"

The quote by Thom Gunn reflects the extensive sense of loss and bewilderment experienced in the face of an unforeseen and devastating epidemic. It conveys the universal human expectation of a natural aging process, where pals and enjoyed ones age and eventually die in a progressive, practically rhythmic sequence. This notion is rooted in the comforting predictability of life's cycle, where the passage of time allows for preparation and approval of the unavoidable bye-byes.

Nevertheless, Gunn's words expose the shattering of this expectation by an unpredicted disaster, described as a 'plague,' which indiscriminately and quickly severs these prepared for timelines. This 'pester' is most likely a referral to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that emerged in the late 20th century, which had a particularly devastating influence on the gay community, to which Gunn belonged. The illness decimated neighborhoods, interrupting the lives of countless individuals long before what would have been their natural time.

Gunn's reflection embodies a sense of mayhem and helplessness-- feelings typical amongst those who witnessed the rapid, relentless attack of the AIDS epidemic on their social circles. It underscores the emotional turmoil experienced when challenged with mass loss and the destruction of formerly held presumptions about aging and death. The speed at which his buddies were taken defies the progressive, organized progression of aging that numerous anticipate, causing an extensive, disorienting grief.

Furthermore, the use of the word 'pester' evokes historic pandemics defined by widespread death and suffering, drawing a parallel in between past and present experiences. There's an implicit acknowledgment of a shared vulnerability and the unforeseeable nature of human life. In these couple of lines, Gunn encapsulates a poignant and individual action to the wider destruction wrought by the epidemic, expressing both private grief and a collective grieving for a lost generation.