a dormant volcano
looks peaceful and enticing
its destructive power
forgotten
or never even known
by those who greet the sleeping beast
the pain it may have caused
remains in the past
with the souls it consumed
. . . or attempted to consume
surely some escaped its grasp
and vowed never to return
for they learned the truth
hidden just beneath the surface
a dormant volcano
is strong and elegant
its charm lives in the mystery
a mystery too far away to hold any real power
its outbursts are just a story now
a riveting tale
told to describe what it may have done
not what it could do
a dormant volcano feels distant
so people move closer
and closer
and closer
old worries fade
guards come down
in a state of slumber
it gives the illusion of safety
the quiet is comforting
hypnotizing
familiar
it's what you think it is until it's not
people forget
a dormant volcano can erupt