Thirteen clay figures in the garden
Where time ran out
Tempus fugit
Fugitives through time
Cave canem - Beware of the dog
The futile mosaic of the tragic poet.
No warnings from your gods above
As Vesuvio coughed you into the future
In the time capsule of Pompeii
With your worldly goods
And your world
Immortal as any gods
Your final acts petrified
So so petrified.
That doesn't surprise me Dave. This really has to be read to be appreciated - though you may find it works better in a non public house poetry venue.
I have occasionally managed to breathe life into page poetry but it is hard. You are lucky to be able to turn your hand equally to page and performance.
I read this out at the Tudor. Didn't think it went well. Think my comic stuff is better suited. I have read Pompeii by Robert Harris (and most of his other books - I see The Ghost has been made into a film - Not my favourite) Have been to Pompeii - fairly recently - Fascinating place - must go back. Thanks for comments - Dave.
Have yet to visit Pompeii...
The use of Latin phrases does something for me.
A thoughtful poem which highlights a bit of history.
<Deleted User> (7164)
Sat 27th Mar 2010 13:30
Yes, me too.
I love visiting places such as this.
A very 'atmospheric' poem.
Agreed. There is something quite eerie about the ruins of Heculaneum and Pompeii. Even in the boiling sun surrounded by tourists, you can still feel the terror and shock they must have felt as their world disappeared around them. The double meaning of the last two lines is both clever and haunting.Cate xx
Agree with Isobel's comments, and I, too, have a fascination with the place.
Have you read Robert Harris' 'Pompeii'? I would definitely recommend it.
Cx
Love this one Dave. You are proving yourself a very versatile poet. I visited Pompeii many years ago - it is a fascinating place - and Heculaneum.
There are so many wonderful touches in this poem. The fact that we could be so immortalised in death - the play on the word petrified is superb.
The eery sadness that underlines the matter of fact expression. I love it.
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Dave Bradley
Sun 28th Mar 2010 10:16
Excellent poem Dave - I agree with what others have said. Visiting Pompeii is a powerful experience with the plaster casts of people especially moving. It makes you wonder what people would make of our world in 2000 years if it was frozen in time.
Vesuvius will apparently blow again but no-one knows when. Some scientists think it's overdue and there's a lot more people living below it now. Apparently the governmemnt is having trouble persuading people to move