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Cave Canem

In Pompeii, on a wall
of the House of the Tragic Poet,
a mosaic greets the visitor:
Cave Canem. Beware of Dog.

Centuries later
the growling mongrel
though leased— and chained—
makes one want to leap

out of the way…

If I could hang one sign
on my front door it would be:
DO NOT DISTURB, a good sleep
essential to a poet.

Yet how long can I sleep knowing
Time’s ineffable rush,
which is clearer to me as a poet
than weather is to a meteorologist…

What is there to protect me
from the massing of Time’s
ash gray clouds over my roof?
What sign can I hang to keep Death
from ringing my doorbell?

I laugh as I read, Bob, the same thought
occurs to older men, when?
I like the dog leaping so many centuries on.
The person who wrote the warning sign
is immortalised in a way. I wonder if our work
will last as long.

I agree with Frank's comments, there is so much to like about this poem. I feel st1 could read a little smoother though - the fist couple of lines read a bit jerky and there areb2 of's in line 2. Perhaps something like -

Outside his Pompeii house
the tragic poet has a mosaic
to greet visitors - Cave Canem
Beware of the Dog

Eira

Thanks, Eira, for the suggestions. It’s great to have you back!