vesuvius explodes

and the lava runs into the streets
all the men and women and children,
asses, oxen, horses, dogs, cats
all the living creatures on the land
are buried in the flow, amid ashes. the birds
and insects, butterflies, moths, all manner
of air dwellers are incinerated
in mid flight. there is no room for hope
there is only movement and heat
and destruction in a beautiful stream of flame.