Half Way up Etna
“Mind is the spell which governs earth and heaven”
Empedocles on Etna, (Act 1, Scene 2)
Matthew Arnold
I’ve come this far, my mind is clear;
there’s nothing left to savour now,
and though a death in Etna’s fire
is fearful yet I’ve made my choice.
My many friends have counselled me
to think again and weigh their love,
so, do I really want to crack
life’s riddle here and not go back?
*
The tidy vineyards flecked with green
in pale spring sunlight spoke to me,
the forests filled with bird song, too,
reminded me of happier days,
but when I reached the lava fields
I recognised life’s transience
and what it must be like to flair
back into dust and fiery air.
*
But, at six thousand feet I sense
a second wind, have second thoughts.
The view is fine below, the land,
the olive farms, contented lives;
the flowers of April nearly break
my heart with thoughts of love and loss.
Perhaps I’ll rest and go back down:
the risk is being thought a clown.
Simon Fletcher is widely published and is currently a ‘Poet on Loan’ in West Midland Libraries (ACE-funded). He runs monthly live literature events and also tutors for the Workers’ Educational Association. Author of 4 full collections, his most recent, Close to Home, was published by Headland, 2015. (www.simonfletcher.net)
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