thither

a living city was buried in
wooded hills and green fields
under great ash heaps.

since that eruption-
sometimes quiet
for a hundred years
men, almost forgotten
thundered out dust
after this mountain
very craggy and wild.

ordinarily the people,
sometimes,
bellows like an ox.

soon casts of cinders.
if these catch a man,
the roofs are crushed by the weight-
the wind, stiff, carried to far countries.
this bellowing comes every hundred years
and the air is pure and healthy.

My first poem for Wave Books, Erasures.

16 comments:

Sharon said...

your inspirations are expressed in your words...my inspirations are expressed in my photographs, yet we are both fulfilling our creative spirits:)

Rambling Woods said...

Interesting way to prompt poetry. I enjoyed this one and all I can think is that I wish I could do that...Michelle

shraddha said...

very nice...

congratulations for the publication

Caroline Gill said...

The title is most intriguing, Michelle. You always have thought-provoking ideas. Thank you for the link to the site... must have a go at this kind of Found Poem soon.

JJ Loch said...

Beautiful and meaningful imagery. Happy I stopped by!!!

Cheers! JJ

Deb said...

Wow. This is incredible. I wouldn't have thought it a found poem. Incredible images, phrasing, pacing.

Tumblewords: said...

I'm glad you 'found' this one - it's wonderful!

lisaschaos said...

WOW! Such talent!

Bobbie said...

It's cleansing and rebirth. A very enjoyable and descriptive read :)

anthonynorth said...

This one is so visual. Excellently done.

April said...

Beautiful... I've always wished my brain would slow down enough for poetry. I enjoy fiction probably because I can use more words!

Christina said...

So beautiful The words are real and alive.
xo

christine said...

This is a found poem? Wow! It reminds me of Mt. Saint Helen, or Vesuvius.

Great work, Michelle!

lissa said...

it's a story & a poem, mystical, like those fairytale stories that are too fantastic to be real

one more believer said...

explosive gases expelled underneath a city lies...that last line sez it all...

Just someone said...

That was really wonderful!

Congratulations!:)