OUR LADY’S TRIUMPH

by Marilyn Peretti

Hot orange flame flew up 

melting lead and ancient trees

breaking hearts of Paris.

For eight hundred years

old oaks from vanished forests

served as roof timbers

but no longer able to withstand

the fires of hell, crumbled

to charred matchsticks, as

Our Lady’s backbone,

the vulnerable ridge pole,

tumbled into the holy nave.

                    • • •

A thin white thread 

of smoke rising at the Vatican

signals something new.

The disastrous stream of white smoke,

which roared rapidly to black

then to tongues of fire,

called out every craftsman from

the woodwork, their myriad of skills

rebuilding one great Cathedral,

now signaling Our Lady’s glory.

This poem was written in anguish at the time of the horrendous fire in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, but has been modified to celebrate the gallant efforts of dedicated Parisians who carefully rebuilt their cherished centerpiece. Marilyn Woerner Peretti, from Chicago area, is Pushcart nominee, and celebrant of this French achievement! She happily recalls her visit to Paris and tour through this elegant structure.

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