When Time Stopped: Pompeii in the Shadow of Vesuvius

A haunting reflection on Pompeii’s last moments and the enduring power of nature.

This poem reflects on the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried Pompeii, capturing the suddenness of the disaster and the stillness that followed.

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The Silent Fall of Pompeii

Beneath Vesuvius, the city thrived,
The streets were filled, the air alive,
Merchants called and children played,
No sign that life would soon be swayed.

In taverns, laughter met with wine,
As couples strolled beneath the vine,
With every step, the future seemed,
To stretch beyond what others dreamed.

But far beneath, the earth did groan,
A warning sent in molten tone,
Yet none could hear the buried roar,
That signalled life would be no more.

The sky turned black, the air grew tight,
Ash fell thick, turning day to night,
With every breath, the people ran,
But fate had woven its cruel plan.

The fires rained, the city froze,
A silent end to all who rose,
No scream was heard, no final sound,
Just bodies lost, where they were found.

In time’s cold grip, they’re held in place,
The fear still etched upon each face,
Now Pompeii lies in quiet sleep,
A secret history buried deep.

Yet in this dust, their stories live,
A warning nature still can give,
Remember all that’s lost to flame,
Before the earth reclaims its claim.

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🔑 Key takeaways:

Reflect on the power of nature and the fragility of life.

Let Pompeii remind us of the importance of living fully, as time can freeze without warning.

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