Gary Onderisin Poet Prose Poetry

Perched Near the Volcano

these radiating, seemingly 
endless rows of dust-choked porticoes
in the bustling Roman forum.

Receding to the vanishing point:

sun-drenched streets,
Ways to, hours for due mythology;

busy temples; gleaming marble columns;
massive, stone arches rising through
the wafting dust, through climbing, curling
shafts of dark, fragrant incense;

a general push and shove; 
all the chaos and clamor
that any self-respecting business man 
could ever hope to bring to bear.


But then, suddenly, an uncanny silence
descends upon all and sundry:

resultant astonishment, utter amazement
on every upturned face around.

Then a deep, mighty rushing.
Sound and fury, to be sure,
but those like the fearsome clapping and
booming of rolling thunder itself, like the
wild, uncontrollable crackling of lightning itself.

A deafening wind howls and wails.

Eyes finally see.
Unstopped with lies,
ears finally hear.
Warmed with love and reason
the human heart once again
beats with human feeling and compassion,
with perspective and saving Knowledge.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment