Poetry

Julien B photo

By

Alejandro Escudé

Notre Dame Cathedral in Flames

What strikes one is the singing of the hymns.

The people of France! Observing

The hellfire spire toppling real time

And the hymns rising up with the smoke.

But why the solemnity now for the Catholic Church?

Why the gently interviewed cardinal

And the attack on the President who merely said

Use planes, and put it out quick,

As quick as this President puts out flames,

All fury and first thought? Why the mournful

Tone in the anchors’ voice, who would’ve

skewered the Church for anything untoward

Or conservative: the use of condoms,

The demon-priests with feely hands,

The financial scams? Oh God! But let Notre Dame

Burn, and the single-mouthed media finds

Its redemptive Christ; one can almost here

The faux serendipity in the act, its timing,

One week away from Jesus’ resurrection and rise

Into Heaven, for the sins of all

Who stood on those ancient Parisian streets,

Singing as if possessed by Middle Age angels.

Weep and sing out hymns, the fire will eat what

Fire eats, trust roof, stone, and stained glass

That tells the story of a savior destined to return.

Alejandro Escudé

Alejandro Escudé’s first book of poems, My Earthbound Eye, was published in September 2013. He holds a master’s degree in creative writing from UC Davis and teaches English. Originally from Argentina, Alejandro lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.