DDCPoetry

Original poem reprinted online here: "Pompeii" by Charles Bernstein  Originally read: April 11, 2013 More information about the Poet: Charles Bernstein Depending on the reader's sense of background the opening line, "The rich men, they know about suffering" may come off as jolting.  I don't think the first thought that comes to mind is "suffering" when it comes to someone who is "rich" -- but the first line dictates how the reader should go about the poem -- a bit skeptically, a bit weary, but treading forward and not over thinking the lines. Unfortunately, I naturally over think lines.  But the poem exposes it's intent with the line, "Rich men say they can't control,"  and past me wrote, "proverb -- wealth versus control.  Suffering at the loass of control." The poem goes expansive after what cannot be controlled, "The tides, the erosion of polar caps / And the eruption of a terrible / Greed among those w...