Hilda Greenhough | + Follow Poet |
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POMPEII

I look at my work. I look down on the valley.
I'm proud of its richness, of its green fertile fields,
And each time I do, I can count up the tally.
My sacrificial top's loss produces great yield.

There's beauty in the valley, in its farms and trees.
Morning fog gives it a mythical seduction.
Yet though I remember how the people did flee.
I take no fault for my fiery eruption.

I, a Volcano. What can one really expect?
My purpose is to scatter Earth's food from my cone.
Terror of fiery flow calls for quick respect.
Some townsfolk of Pompeii have been turned into stone.

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Kim Rodrigues Date: 8/21/2025 5:30:00 AM A dreamlike trance, they had no idea of what they must succumb, and turn into a last minute of their life attraction…how strange that would be. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 8/24/2025 5:11:00 PM Seeing the carnage from a cataclysm is very sad. It seems that many people visit these sites with the feelings of a person paying respects at a funeral. Listen to the Earth.

Gary Radice Date: 8/19/2025 1:16:00 PM It was the title that originally attracted me to this poem of yours Hilda. I managed to tick a visit to Pompei off my bucket list a few years ago. It didn't disappoint in much the same way that your poem didn't. Nature needs to be respected. Nice work. Cheers - Gary Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 8/19/2025 3:33:00 PM Thank you very much. Nature intrigues me. I like nature best when we coexist.

Bj Legros Kelley Date: 7/27/2025 7:03:00 PM My kids and I did a study on Pompeii years ago, that was so sad, poor people and animals. Volcanoes are incredibly dangerous, but usually give warnings, and it would do well to heed them. When Mt St Helens erupted, many had been evacuated, but one old guy decided he would rather die when the mountain blew her top, and he did. That still haunts me, his pets died too. Volcanoes do serve their purpose for earth, and one would be wise to respect them. Their rumblings speak volumes! Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 7/28/2025 2:35:00 AM Active volcanoes should be avoided. I enjoyed your story about Mt. St.Helens. Thank you for commenting.

John Loving Iii Date: 7/17/2025 5:47:00 PM Inca's have famine, and earth quakes claim lives. Tornatos are a terror. Hurricanes take lives. But each needs a writer, to be remembered still. if not the writers touch it will be still; Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 7/19/2025 3:29:00 PM I liked your philosophical thoughts. I have not seen Pomei or Vesuvius yet.

Kim Rodrigues Date: 7/13/2025 12:04:00 PM Alive then not, like Texas! Cherish each day with the people and moments it brings. My husband saw Pompeii. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 7/19/2025 3:26:00 PM Thank you for your comment. Many volcanoes are still active.

Richard Lamoureux Date: 7/7/2025 7:27:00 AM I’ve been to Pompei, it’s fascinating. I like your perspective here. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 7/7/2025 10:11:00 AM I never visited Pompei but I saw enough pictures of it that helped me write the poem. I'm glad you enjoyed the Personification.

Karen Jones Date: 6/29/2025 6:43:00 PM I love how you put this together! Great personification. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/29/2025 9:39:00 PM Thank you. I hope to get back to writing soon.

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 6/17/2025 5:30:00 AM - "I remember how the people did flee. I take no fault for my fiery eruption." ... take nature seriously ... listen and see ... great written, Hilda :) - hugs Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/17/2025 7:09:00 AM Thank you. It is good to hear from your

Jaymee Thomas Date: 6/12/2025 12:11:00 PM I love this personification, Hilda. Your use of language and turns of phrase are absolutely envy-inducing :) Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/12/2025 12:40:00 PM Thank you. I'm glad you liked it.

Richard Lamoureux Date: 6/10/2025 12:22:00 AM Great perspective. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/10/2025 5:54:00 AM Thank you for reading it.

Karen Jones Date: 6/9/2025 9:38:00 PM You summed this up nicely! Love it! Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/9/2025 10:18:00 PM Thank you, Karen.

Joseph May Date: 6/9/2025 3:05:00 AM The fiery lava left no escape for many Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/9/2025 8:05:00 AM It was a terrible event. Nature continually recycles. I hope AI can pay its way and give better warnings.

Valsa George Date: 6/8/2025 9:40:00 PM "Some townsfolk of Pompeii have been turned into stone." Is it a reference to Pompeii of Greece where a city once flourishing got blasted down into mere debris.... stones and bricks? Powerful poem dear Hilda. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/9/2025 8:02:00 AM It was the volcano Vesuvius. Thank you for reading, Valsa.

David Crandall Date: 6/8/2025 8:29:00 PM Interesting poem, that volcano took lives, but also gave life. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/9/2025 8:01:00 AM From the point of view of my species, I'd say "Run". But this was an inanimate object speaking. Nature is heartless. Thank you for visiting.

Ink Empress Date: 6/2/2025 2:06:00 AM Youv written a very powerful poem as always dear Hilda, so creative and deep, and how youv ended with " Some townsfolk of Pompeii have been turned into stone." Can be interpreted in so many ways and theres various layers to it. I really love the flow of your lines and it hit me strong when i read "I, a Volcano. What can one really expect?" that speaks volumes maybe if some are kind and mindful the volcano being the volcano might be kinder. Pleasure reading your personification! Sending you light Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 6/2/2025 6:32:00 AM Thank you for reading. My intention was to show that nature is an entity in itself.

Alesia Leach Date: 5/31/2025 5:16:00 PM Hilda, this is such a powerful and original perspective--a volcano reflecting on its own legacy. I love the mix of awe and accountability in the voice, especially lines like “My purpose is to scatter Earth’s food from my cone”--it’s both destructive and life-giving. The tone walks that fine line between pride and detachment so well, and that ending... “turned into stone”--chilling and poetic. Brilliant work! Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/31/2025 7:25:00 PM Thank you. I feel that I should have mentioned its name. I don't know if it knows its name.

Victor Buhagiar Date: 5/31/2025 1:20:00 AM Long ago I've been to Pompeii. Great disaster. Tradition holds that they suffered the fate of Sodom. Glad to see you writing. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/31/2025 5:50:00 AM You have a different view than my poem. I'd love to hear your version in a poem. Good to hear from you.

Oliver Mckeithan Date: 5/30/2025 6:33:00 PM Good one Hilda. Like the perspective from the volcano Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/30/2025 8:17:00 PM Thank you.

Sotto Poet Date: 5/30/2025 1:53:00 PM Oh, Hilda, this is just breathtaking; your art is awe-inspiring. Your imagery depicts how these rampaging monsters have changed. I enjoyed reading your poem. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/30/2025 3:01:00 PM Well thank you very much. You made me feel good today.

Zyrool Gifford Date: 5/30/2025 9:10:00 AM Hello Hilda, this is truly beautiful. An amazing piece. You have made me change how I think of these fiery monster's. Wishing you a wonderful weekend, my friend. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/30/2025 11:05:00 AM Thank you. Enjoy the weekend.

Joe Dimino Date: 5/30/2025 8:37:00 AM Some folks blame nature for everything, when nature is just being nature, as intended. We know enough science now not to live so near a volcano...yet many of us do. Same thing with floods, etc.. You gave a volcano a brilliant chance to define itself -- well done! Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/30/2025 11:04:00 AM Your words brought a smile. Thank you.

kjeld vk Date: 5/30/2025 12:16:00 AM Hilda, your poem is brilliant! Casting yourself as the volcano is such a bold choice—blending raw power with nurturing creation. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/30/2025 11:03:00 AM Thank you. Your words are inspirational.

Gershon Wolf Date: 5/29/2025 8:18:00 PM Wow and Whoa!! I really thoght this was a 'personification' of God at first. intriguing perspective here, Hilda. Thanks, gw Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/29/2025 8:29:00 PM Thank you for reading it. The rhyme seemed to fall into place. I'm enjoying getting back into writing.

Ilene Bauer Date: 5/29/2025 1:39:00 PM a very cool poem, hilda, with a very unusual way of looking at history. i really enjoyed this... Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/29/2025 2:49:00 PM I'm honored that you enjoyed it. Thank you.

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 5/29/2025 12:30:00 PM So interesting and beautifully composed, Hilda! Great imagery. :) Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 5/29/2025 2:47:00 PM Thank you very much. I often think of the impartiality of nature.

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