That poem is lovely. Congratulations!

Thank you!

I think I'd rather folk celebrated Vesuvius Day, even if it would end up being a bit macabre.

I thought the eruption that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum took place in late August, but I'd have to check Pliny's letters, then check which calendar was in use at the time, then check whether there are any major scholarly disagreements on the date. (I'm sure the answer is yes.)

[edit]

The Smithsonian thinks October. All right, then.