Occhi di Rossellini

Katherine was a delightful travelling companion. Though quite lost, she taught me many things. Some are glaringly obvious but easy to forget.


Everyone dies. 
This is particularly important to know in order to stop yourself simply walking into oncoming traffic. Doing so can cause your own death and that of others. Here I am in Pompeii before the unseen cart. Luckily no-one was hurt in this particular incident.


Everyone is in love. 
At some point. If not with others, then with themselves.
This can cause great pain. Pain rhymes with Cumaean. I don't feel that it is worth expanding upon this point in great detail.



Everyone is tormented. 
Most of the time. And if they're not? Well, it must be denial or death. Or they aren't thinking enough. What do you do when your loved one lays down their head and doesn't pick it back up? Take to the streets?


Everyone has introduced sperm into their uterus, except for Katherine.
Katherine is childless. But she notices the bellies; the endless barnacles of blistering bambini. The streets of Napoli, the platforms of St Pancras: everyone is celebrating their first Christmas. Katherine isn't.


Everyone wants a piece
Some more than others. They say that the Catholic Church hacked off all the phalli but I suspect hacked off broads, bored. Shacked them off. The preferred method. Katherine was ever so embarrassed at what she saw, even though there was nothing left to see.


Everyone is lonely.
Katherine and I visited St Simeon. He said that he isn't lonely; God keeps him company. We have our friends in the skulls and the bones of the Fontanelle. I visit them often. How I wish they would visit back. Katherine thought that being with Alexander would that mean that she would never be alone again. She was wrong.


Life's what you make it.
The citizens of Pompeii were not lying waiting for the ash, that I am sure of.
Katherine went back to Alexander in the end. I was sorry to see her go. 
She was sure of a miracle. We all love a miracle. 


Severus Alexander's weak rule caused Rome to be engulfed in strife for many years.


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