Text reads: Vesuvius. Michael Perret. After Actually's "Vesuvius." An excerpt from a poem follows and reads I. Canto: Woman I watch your movements up upon the stage. I see how your muscles reflex and rage. They inspect teeth and skin and all below… “This body,” I profess, “I need to know.” Can you love if you’re not free? He’s a slave, No… No, but then the earth shakes and a wave Rolls beneath our feet. “Pompei welcomes you!” The merchant cracks at his wares, and a few In chains, on display, go weak in the knees. And while they founder on fear’s open seas, Thick and steady as an oak tree you gaze, unfazed And I implore you, Meet my eyes, ablaze, amazed By your magnificence. I never fall In love, I only burn inside—“From Gaul!” The merchant trumpets, “and this one is brave! Vesuvius!” he rechristens the slave. “Pure molten metal poured into this mold!” I buy you for triple your weight in gold.
Today we bring you a story in verse about ancient Pompei: "Vesuvius" by Michael Perret. This sensual poem about a Roman woman and a slave asks, "Can you love if you're not free?"
Read the whole poem at carminepen.com/vesuvius-by-...
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