A poem on the earthquake at Lisbon

"A poem on the earthquake at Lisbon" by John Biddolf is a powerful poem that vividly portrays the devastating earthquake that shook Lisbon in 1755. Beginning with a peaceful scene of a lively city filled with orange trees and busy people, the poem dramatically shifts to depict the sudden chaos and horror unleashed by the earthquake, showing people running in fear and confusion. The poem examines ideas about destiny, fairness, and how fragile people are when faced with disaster, contrasting the earlier joy with the destruction that follows. It describes a world grieving its losses, finishing with thoughts on kindness and human connection during terrible times, urging readers to think about how short life is and the strength of human kindness.