Vesuvius
When the earth shrugs,
some warnings are better
heeded. A little
smoke, some ash.
A knife point held to the chin.
Why listen at all?
The man in the big house hides in its vastness.
Surrounded, he walks alone.
People speak, but he hears only himself.
Meanwhile,
the mountain
belches
and the birds fly north
seeking firm ground
upon which to land.
* * *
“Vesuvius” was first published in The Big Windows Review in December 2017. I’m grateful to editor Thomas Zimmerman for accepting this piece.
O at the Edges 
As if it was possible, it’s gotten worse since you penned this.
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Hard to believe, but yes.
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Rich and full, this.
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Thanks very much!
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Most welcome, Sir 🙂
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North Dakota here i come…hahaha…run run….hahaha
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I’m ducking…
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