Brief Elegy For Aulus Rustius Verus, Late Of Pompeii. August, 79 A.D.

Remote from your ancient time and place, what can I say

to or about you, ARV,?---late of slain, metropolitan Pompeii,

destroyed by Vesuvius on that awful, dreadfully surprising day.

Eras of History have passed over you in stately sway.

Yet, the Muse (he is juvenescent, barefoot) inspires and I obey

(nor shall be tempted to put this off, or send it astray):

I offer you this brief elegy, a sort of conversation---

you are remembered now because of scholars' excavation.



J-Called

Author's Notes/Comments: 

I have wanted to write a poem like this since at least Autumn of 1975. My knowledge of ARV and his property in Pompeii has been provided by the BBC.

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