Holding on to their fragile lives
They ran, they stumbled
Etched in stone forever
Hot lava turning cold
Life's warmth sucked away
But not the hope
Still they are there
Standing
Slumped
Resigned
Still Clinging to their fragile lives
Young and Old
Master and Slave
Mother and Child
Father and Son
Pregnant then
Plastered now
Brought back to 'life'
Shatterable Life
Frangible Sculptures
Frozen in time....
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| Image Source |
The devastation of the city of Pompeii in Italy due to the eruption of the deadly volcano, Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD, left behind a strange spectacle. Those who see it are filled with an awe, an angst, an unspeakable feeling. I have not visited the place but seen the pictures which stunned me. This poem is my response to the fatal result of that disaster.
Linking to Blog-a-rhythm's Day 3 of #BarAthon Challenge
You have brought forth the helplessness of the whole disaster so beautifully Sunaina. Very poignant!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kala....
DeleteI remember studying about Pompeii in my Latin Class back in high school. I, too, was shocked at how the lava entombed people as they tried to escape. Can't even imagine what it must have been like for them. Great poem that evokes the feeling they must have felt.
ReplyDeleteI know Cathy.....It is beyond imagination what they might have gone through....!
Deletedisasters really prove, how fragile are the lives, sculptures or humans. What a lovely poem!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tina...
DeleteI have seen pictures of this! Fascinating in a very morbid way. Imagine leaving a city frozen as if waving a wand! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteAs if waving a wand....I like that image.....Thanks Vidya....
DeleteI've been to Pompeii and it's chilling - the thought that a volcano destroyed an entire thriving city.
ReplyDeleteWow....you have been there....how did it feel looking at all this from close quarters?
DeleteWe happened to see the pictures on my son's request..he had a lesson in English about Pompeii... Cannot forget that 'oh my god' moment. This poem brought that out so well.
ReplyDeleteShubhangi @ The Little Princess
I too saw these pics for the first time when my son got a book on volcanoes from the library.....It was chilling.....!
DeleteI read the story of Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius eruption when I was 9 and it has stayed with me. Tragic.
ReplyDeleteTragic and unimaginable....!
DeleteSo very poignant! You've actually brought the tragedy alive in your expressions. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maitreni.....
DeleteSuch a poignant piece! Well done, Sunaina :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Purba....!
DeleteIndeed a fragile life that people have, which suffers the wrath of randomness. And yet the hope remains forever in the midst of randomness.
ReplyDeleteHope and life can not part....True Pranju....!
DeleteFragile lives...the first stanza is all goosebumps but the closing lines an eternal solace!
ReplyDeleteVery beautifully composed, Sunaina..I loved the innate pathos and emptiness of life per se..
I read the poem again after reading your comment.....And I felt it is good.....haha......Thanks so much....Appreciation of poetry from a poet like you feels good indeed.
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