Volcano

The breath of summer lingered
In dark woods, cool and serene,
A cuckoo let drop a jubilant note
The soft breeze plied unseen.

In the sky, each cloud
Outlined in comfortable brilliance;
Homely blossoms spread
Soft perfume, in alliance.

And then the mighty earth heaved
Its bowels lusting for destruction
Spewing liquid fire, molten rock
A deadly concoction.

Poison flowed out from its womb
Burnt orange lava so vivid,
Rushing out, glad to be free
Harbinger of death made liquid.

Time stood still
The obliteration complete
Fluid gray ash, like dark tears
Swirling reminder of fiery heat.

Total silence, eerie;
The gloomy hush of death
Shattered by a vulture’s quavering shriek
Life manifested itself in each breath.