Monday Meme:
mold of a victim killed in
the eruption of Vesuvius at Pompeii in 79 AD
(When they excavated the ruins of Pompeii, they found cavities that were formed by ash and rocks covering the victims. Archeologists in 1848 poured plaster into the cavities, and revealed the victims’ forms. Excavations of the ancient city have been ongoing in this area since 1600s).
Your assignment:
1. create a poem, story, or article based on this photo.
2. Post it on your blog.
3. Cut and paste the photo onto your post (leaving the Monday Meme text).
4. Put a link to your post in the comments to this post below so we can visit your blog.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with! (I will leave a comment on your blog post itself, rather than posting in response to your link here).
.
Shawn L. Bird 
What’s a meme? It looks like this person was praying.
A meme is a spreading idea. In this case, the visual is a writing prompt, which can be shared and spread.
I don’t know if this young man was praying or whether he was just cowering in a corner as the ash fell around him, and suffocated him. His anguish is conveyed through the cast he left behind. It’s almost 2000 years since he died.
Thank you. Isn’t it 4 am at night for you. Are you a night owl?
I am, but it’s only 1:18 a.m. here. I live on the West side of the continent.
Thank you for the assignment Shawn 😉
http://shinypebbles.me/2013/10/14/a-day-like-any-other/
I love this challenge, but I’m afraid that since the rest of October is dedicated to Project R on my blog, where guest bloggers have the opportunity to rethink the question of relationships, means that I won’t be able to participate. Nonetheless, I will be reading all contributions. I loved the first of those, so look forward to what comes next!
No rules about WHEN you post your contribution, so feel free to respond in months to come if one speaks to you.
Oh that’s great news! Thank you. Will write my piece this week in preparation for November and post it as soon as Project R comes to a close. Incidentally, if you or anyone you know would like to take part, I am still accepting submissions 🙂
And thank you again for letting me know about the meme. It is a beautiful story and I was really sorry to have to miss out. You’ve made my evening! xx
That was a fairly easy way to make an evening! lol. Have fun with your project!
Wow…… 😦
http://emmadumitra.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/photo-meme-pompeii/
I really enjoy doing your memes. Thanks. 🙂
[…] don’t post photos so if you would like to see the photo for this meme please visit Shawn’s page https://shawnbird.com/2013/10/14/monday-meme-pompeii/ […]
This is very interesting. Several bloggers have taken the meme and have run with it.
[…] The Monday Meme assignment from the blog of Shawn L. Bird […]
Love this stuff. My humble submission.
http://deweydecimalsbutler.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/monday-meme-pompeii-victim/
Shawn: How appropriate! I just returned from a vacation in Sicily late last night, along with a special morning trip to Herculaneum. I’ve already been to Pompeii, and have seen the body casts, both on exhibit and some in situ. Haunting, to say the least. If I can catch up with my posts and readings, I will take up this challenge.
I hope you do. There is no deadline, so feel free to just post what you ome up with whenever you get around to it! I would love to go back to Pompeii- and perhaps get a guide! We wandered around, found the amphitheatre and track, went past the city of the dead, but didn’t find some of the more famous things like the brothel and some of the big houses. I’d like to see the exhibit on Pompeii in the Naples museum, as well.
We were at the museum for 4 hours on Saturday morning. The Pompeii exhibit is unbelievable – hard to describe. They have silver arrangements, jewelry, glass (including windows), mosaics, wall frescoes, etc., etc. Also, a “secret room” with all types of charms, frescoes, statuary from the Brothel. We would have stayed longer, but the museum has no air conditioning, and the Pompeii Exhibit is on the 3rd floor – hot and humid! If you’ve not been to Herculaneum, please go there with a private guide, as we did. It’s entirely different from Pompeii – spectacular…
Sounds fantastic. Aside from the day trip to Pompeii we didn’t spend any time in Southern Italy when we were there last. I would like to visit Sorrento, Positano, Heculaneum and Naples. Time to go back!
Oh no! I missed Monday meme… Monday meme is EXPLODING!!
Post your response whenever you want. Better late than never!
Yay! http://mcwatty9.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/oh-where-do-we-begin-the-rubble-or-our-sins-bastille-pompeii/
For me this was a tough one. Hope you like it. http://hillarysangel.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/discovery/
Shawn, As usual I’m a day late and a dollar short but here are my poetic efforts. Thanks. http://dancingpalmtrees.com/2013/10/20/pompeii/
Awesome! Thanks, Deb. There’s a cool one coming out tomorrow. Photo by one of my previous students.
Thank you Shawn! I value and respect your advice and suggestions. You are a very talented and gifted writer. Your photographic writing prompts test my literary chops. I need the challenge. Awaiting your feedback!
That poor guy. There’s so much desperation and humanity in this picture. It makes me sad. It’s so personal. He wouldn’t have wanted us to see this.