The heart of France has burst in flame and smoke,
The ribs of stone, the summitry of oak,
We mourn with France – the world is now one folk.
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Guy Ottewell's website and weblog
Comme on dit en francais “Quelle catastrophe!” Indeed a tragedy not to only France, but to the entire civilized world. I’m glad Glint reminds us of isis’s attempt to destroy our mother. The collapse of the spire was too reminiscent of the collapse of the two towers in NYC in 2001. I’m almost tempted to suspect another terrorist attack, as I’m surprised Trump didn’t already jump to that conclusion, and Joan, why wouldn’t you think he’d send his condolences? So much history, I’m glad some of the most cherished relics were spared. So let out of the ashes arise a new Notre Dame. God bless and happy Easter to you all.
Maybe the”civilized” world is one, but it is doubtful that that description includes Isis. Recall when the Islamic terrorist previously targeted Notre Dame in the relatively recent past.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/09/cell-of-french-women-radicalised-by-isis-behind-failed-notre-dame-attack
Thanks for reminding us of that. And there would be a fanatic minority in the West that would exult if the Kaaba, the Kairouan mosque, or the al-Aqsa were destroyed.
ISIS has responded exactly as one might expect:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6931361/ISIS-fanatics-warn-future-attack-fire-ravaged-Notre-Dame.html
Guy, your poem is so moving. We live in contentious times when agreement is often all too fleeting. But this tragedy has brought such an outpouring of grief; it’s as if we’ve come together as a whole. Even Trump sends his condolences! As the archbishop of Paris said, there is a global “love for this extraordinary cathedral.”