POMPEII GASES... (My poem about the remains seen at Pompeii, following a visit in 2004...)

 Pompeii Gases…

Gases seeped

From the sizzling roar

Of a god’s fiery anger

And he screamed to his wife.

Yet no sound was heard

But that of his falling body

Upon her.

Heaped.

Gases oozed

From the choking rain 

Of a volcanic storm

And she screamed to her child.

Yet no sound was heard

But that of her dying breath

To him.

Bruised.

Gases burned

From the falling ash

Of a spewing eruption

And he screamed to his dog.

Yet no sound was heard

But that of a child’s moan

Amid the rubble.

Churned.

Gases settled

From the killing hour

Of a mount’s redemption

And it yelped in its pain,

Yet no sound was heard

But that of its muzzled bark.

Alone and chained.

Fettered…

Pete Ray

Visiting Pompeii in 2004.

The incredible remains there will always live with me…