Vesuvius

Alternative title: An Homage to Pliny the Younger

A lone piece of ash lingers
on a breeze above the clouds,
casually drifting from side to side,
passing the afternoon sun once again
and making it's way downward.

Finally it lands and rests gently
among the other, still smoldering ashes
now layering my father's face.

One civilization with one beating heart,
gone for the gods' momentary lapse.
And only my words show the start
of all that ended in collapse.