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Liberation of Paris (August 26, 1944)

Who would have thought
To see American soldiers
Under the Arc de Triomphe
Marching along Champs Élysées,
In the Liberation of Paris;
When a short while ago
German soldiers' goosesteps
Thumped on the avenues,
Filling Parisian hearts with fear;
With Nazis everywhere,
Enforcing Nazi dogma
In La belle France.

On both occasions,
People broke down and cried.
Out of horror in 1940,
The other of joy in 1944.
That generation fades
And another takes over.

Three times played out
But France’s honour was restored
When de Gaulle and his entourage
Stood at the base
Of the unknown soldier’s grave,
« Bonaparte, voici ta gloire,
La souveraineté française reste! »
(“Bonaparte, here is your glory,
French sovereignty remains!”)

The monolith embellishes
Worthiness of culture,
Felt in the eye of those present
When the wreath is laid,
« Combattants de la résistance c'est votre heure
Beaucoup sont morts et certains
Emporté dans les bras des anges. »
(“Resistance fighters, this is your hour.
Many have died, and some
Swept away in the arms of angels.”)

Paris fell in silence,
Liberation was loud.
Gay Paree where Mademoiselles
In love with life itself
Fling themselves
Upon soldiers,
And I feel expression to say,
« Belle ville de lumière! »
(“Beautiful city of light!”)

We cry for someone
When there is time,
And enlighten each other
With finger wagging.
The slaughter atrocious,
The wait strenuous.

And I’ve become reflective.
I was raw. I had not experienced,
And would have kissed her
Like there was no tomorrow;
But my candle was extinguished
In the Seine’s ebb.
                ***

Note:
   During World War Two (1939 to 1945); the “Libération de Paris” aka Battle for Paris, lasted from August 19, 1944 to August 25, 1944. The formal surrender of the Nazi occupation of Paris, France was on August 26, 1944. 
   General Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970), was the leader of the "Free French" forces during W.W. II, fighting against the German military occupiers of France.
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