Pompeii, Campagna

Our drive continued on south to the Campania region
Avoided a city stay as seeing Pompeii was our reason.
Checked into a typical, homely Nona style AirBnB
To experience Italian life, not the chaos of Almafi.

A trip to the local supermarket for supplies wanting
Became precarious with the traffic quite daunting.
Back streets appeared dirty with rubbish strewn
As to dogs barking! neighbours seemed immune.

Cats are cute & plentiful with so many stray
Sat on the balcony watching kittens at play.
Church bells tolled calling the devout to prayer
BBQs fired up, the smell of grilling filled the air.

From our bedroom window we could see the imposing volcano
But our first local foray was to experience the ruins of Ercalano.
This lesser known excavation site known as the Herculeum
With incredibly detailed old frescoes in its small museum.

To visit Pompeii it’s again necessary to book a tour
Avoiding long lines we joined a guide once more.
Walked along chariot worn streets with kerbs so deep
Into shells of Roman shops and abodes we got to peep.

Remnants and artefacts hint at a privileged livelihood
Grand fountains and mosaics depict homes were good.
An affluent & opulent lifestyle frozen in destruction
During 79 AD after Mount Vesuvius’s major eruption!

As the ground shook & earth’s larva plumed
Countless people died, eternally entombed
Aware of the earthquake but mpossible to make a dash,
Forever fossilised under 20 metres of hot, volcanic ash.Read more