Notes About The Poem
Inspired by a recent visit to Pompei in Italy.
For Haven Poetry Contest.
Sponsored By Constance La France.
HAVEN
Never underestimate the power of nature, it can have devastating consequences.
Quote by poet.
Lucius Gauis Viaggi was a centurion in the Roman army
Lived in the city of Pompei with his wife and family
The city lay at the foot of the majestic Mount Vesuvius
It was the year 79 AD in the reign of the Emperor Titus.
Lucius was home on leave from the campaign in Brittania
And was enjoying his time away in his luxurious villa
He got up late one October morning to go for a walk
To meet with friends, drink wine and to catch up on talk.
It had just gone noon when the ground started shaking violently
Many rushed out onto the streets to escape the falling masonry
Above the city Mount Vesuvius was spewing ash, smoke and fire
Lucius, no stranger to danger knew the situation was dire.
Huge white clouds were forming in the sky and ash fell like snow
He rushed back to his villa and told everyone "Save yourselves, go"
Then he got two horses ready for himself and his wife Ameili
And he put his son on his horse and rode quickly towards Napoli.
Thousands were scrambling down the rocky hillside to get far away
Lucius could hear the screams of those poor souls who chose to stay
Then came the molten rock, ash and gas known as the pyroclastic flow
Pompei was buried in minutes, and the living had nowhere to go.
Those who'd taken shelter in buildings were gasping for their breath
Their lungs filled with gas and ash and it's how they met their death
Those who had escaped were making the long journey to Napoli
Some had walked, many on horseback and some arrived by sea.
Four other towns were destroyed by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius
Hercanaleum, Stabiae, Boscoreale and Oplontis
Gaius Plinius Secundus a commander in the Roman navy
Died trying to rescue people and is remembered for his bravery.
The streets of Napoli were crowded with the thousands who'd fled
Those who had decided to stay in Pompei were already dead
In Napoli Lucius had a friend with a large villa, Luigi Maven
Who welcomed them saying , "Let my home be your safe haven".
A week later Lucius rode back to see what had become of Pompei
It was now just a white wasteland where thousands underneath lay
Smoke and dust continued to rise from the top of the mountain
The winds had saved the city of Napoli of that Lucius was certain.
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