By volcanic explosive rain, lava and stones flying
The humans felt that the Gods were speaking, angry
They weren't without warning, rather many portents
The nearby Mount Vesuvius released smoke and ash
Many citizens of the nearby villages fled, if possible
But many more, remained in their homes, tragically
Vesuvius erupted, those left behind then suffocated
All nearby towns were covered in ash, few survivors
In the end it was no different than any other disaster
But the ash covering the dead, preserved it for now
It opened eyes about daily life, far from the present
The dying and fleeing emptied villages, cities, towns
However one lived, slave or free, disaster killed all
Without any preference, without order, lives ended
The rich died as quickly as the poor, unlike now
Where money allows the rich safety and excess
And the poor and labor will have to die
