"Volcano"

I have never seen "Volcanoes"—
But, when Travellers tell
How those old – phlegmatic mountains
Usually so still –

Bear within – appalling Ordnance,
Fire, and smoke, and gun,
Taking Villages for breakfast,
And appalling Men –

If the stillness is Volcanic
In the human face
When upon a pain Titanic
Features keep their place –

If at length the smouldering anguish
Will not overcome –
And the palpitating Vineyard
In the dust, be thrown?

If some loving Antiquary,
On Resumption Morn,
Will not cry with joy "Pompeii"!
To the Hills return!

Emily Dickenson

I didn't see any volcanoes when out walking with the dog, although our far west landscape was formed by them. I took this picture of a small pool of water on the surface of a huge boulder, no doubt once a product of an eruption, and because it wasn't especially interesting I turned the image upside down.... and a volcano appeared!

Dickenson's poem is more about internal emotions that threaten to erupt if not held in.


Appalling ordnance? Apparently not....