Sunday, September 20, 2009

Hot Topic

The Volcanologist

Writers and artists are little Vulcanites. We fan the flames of our inner lava and hope for major eruptions. From Roman mythology we get a glimpse of Vulcan, the God of fire and craftsmanship. His robes are a mess, torn and smudged, his hair singed and smoldering. He smells like a mix of burnt feathers and flan with a shot of sulfuric acid.

But he sure knew how to party. Smokin' good time was had by all the survivors. I have always had a thing for volcanoes. Walking on Hawaii's wierd folded lava flows is a primal experience. The strong fumes can be unnerving and the bleakness feels like the end of all things. But then you see a dinky fern flourishing in a crack.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

This post wouldn't be out of place as a chapter of "The Little Prince" - I love your descriptions :)

I always have a fascination for volcanoes, and vulcanologists; when I look out of my window, I can see the remains of an extinct volcano - what must it have been like when it was formed? Vulcanologists get to present at the making of the earth.

steven said...

hi richard - i love the expression on the cat's face. was he looking through the binoculars into the lavalamp at the little people who live on and inside the coloured bubbles? see you ! steven

Richard Jesse Watson said...

Kitty, you hope it's extinct. We live along a line of several volcanoes on the Pacific rim. It is called the Rim of Fire. Our closest volcano is Mt Rainier, and it is a whopper which could erupt big time. Or not. They play by their own rules. I like what you said: "the making of the earth".

Richard Jesse Watson said...

Steven, I think that he had to turn the binoculars around and look through the wrong end to see the bloop people. I love your idea...