☛ Creative Flight is going to celebrate Indian Literature in its first special issue (January, 2025), vol. 6, no. 1. The last date of article submission is 31/12/2024.

WOUNDED NOTRE DAME

 


WOUNDED NOTRE DAME

-       Sagar Mal Gupta (India)

 

The honour and glory of France

The site of royal coronations,

weddings and requiem services.

The inspiration of millions of people

across the globe;

the 13th century world  heritage monument

with 315 foot tall steeples

solid oak wood roof

and stained glass windows

resides in the soul of every Parisian

When it caught fire, it seemed

every Parisian’s innards got fire.

They tried to extinguish this fire

with their spontaneous tears.

Thousands of people, locals and tourists

gathered in the street; saw the yellow

fire and smoke rising from the  cathedral

but felt helpless; couldn’t do anything

to save that pride of the world.

Hundreds of thousands of messages

poured on social media

showing their heartfelt sorrow.

for the loss of  some parts of their dear monument.

Who set Notre Dame on fire?

Was it man’s greed

or the failure of his technical skills?

But the fact remains

Fire is more powerful

than the combined strength of humanity.

****