Notre Dame

Notre Dame...Notre Dame... your eight hundred years of wisdom’s gone; eight hundred years of beauty strong; architectural sage, Notre Dame. Notre Dame your life has seen so many broken centuries and oh, the stories your stones could tell, told by the ringing of your bells. Will they rebuild you once again? Will your façade grace more eyes and then will you be the same as once; can France’s spirit overcome this loss? Survivor of revolution and two world wars; you’ve stood beyond the bombing hoards. How many strove to give you life? Their legacy’s now a burning pyre. One hundred eighty two years of sweat; poured into stone and minaret. Gothic, stained glass beauty of Pa-ree, such blood and sweat poured into thee. Oh Notre Dame...Notre Dame; survivor of eight centuries; what’s now to become of thee? Written 4-15-19 As an artist, I am sorrowful for this beautiful loss but, glad that no lives were lost. When I think of those who poured their life’s work into Notre Dame’s Beauty, the artist, architects, stonemasons, carpenters and more, I feel an even stronger sense of loss than just that of an

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 4/19/2019 2:35:00 AM

This poem is beyond beautiful, my friend; one hundred and eighty-two years of planning, designing, and creating. Oh, my, such sorrow I have for what is lost and can never be duplicated or replicated. All of the sweat and tears, from those who are no longer here to rebuild.

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/19/2019 4:49:00 AM

Yes, I wonder how many people in the same families worked on it, generation after generation. Thanks, am glad you liked it.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 4/18/2019 9:52:00 AM

This poem is magnificent - we all mourn what happened to Notre Dame - what an awesome incredible tribute you have paid this historical building. Well written MLK - you should be very proud of this poem. A Blessed Easter to you and yours. Hugs, Jennifer.

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/18/2019 2:04:00 PM

Thanks so much, Jennifer; I do appreciate the comments. I watched that and though of all of the people who poured their imagination and sweat of their brows into erecting that beautiful old artist's dream and it poured.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/17/2019 7:54:00 PM

I was on a trip when this happened and still don't know all what happened . I got to visit it many years ago and i hate hearing it was burned . Was at least half of it saved?? Your poem is magnificent.

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/18/2019 2:05:00 PM

I heard that they saved enough of it to rebuild but, it will never be the same; it will always be a new/old building. The beauty of centuries old artists and architects is irreplaceable. Thanks so much.

Robert Lindley

Date: 4/17/2019 6:01:00 PM

History, at least some of it destroyed. Question is, was it a deliberate act or an accident. Great verses composed on this tragic event. A fav..

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/18/2019 2:06:00 PM

I wondered about that, too and last night I heard on the radio that there was a cathedral in the US where some guy was caught walking in with two gas cans and got arrested. One has to ask themselves if it was deliberate or not? Thanks.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 4/17/2019 1:32:00 AM

So much devastation and so depressing. Such a waste of so much talent! You have written a wonderful tribute to her, she was grand, and I am hoping can be re-built, but it may take another 182 years to get her back to where she could be.

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/18/2019 2:08:00 PM

Yes, it won't be quite the same but, I hope they try to do the original creators justice. Too many construction crews today cut so many corners and that's a concern for this old building. Another concern is that they're pushing to get it rebuilt in 5 years; I just don't believe that they will do it properly in that short span of time. Getting the right materials is a big concern and having had a father in the business; that can take a lot of time, sometimes. Thanks.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 4/16/2019 7:24:00 AM

I share your sense of loss, MLK. You expressed it so well..most can relate to the sentiments. Though not the same..it will be rebuilt!!

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/18/2019 2:08:00 PM

Yes, thank you Vijay.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 4/16/2019 1:44:00 AM

Well written M.L., and of course when it was built it was hands and pulleys, no fancy machinery like they have today. Although the spire has been lost they are saying the main structure survived the devastation. Tom

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/16/2019 4:18:00 AM

I saw that on the morning news; so glad. I hope they do it well. Thanks Tom

Rhona Mcferran

Date: 4/15/2019 10:21:00 PM

Beautifully penned, my friend. It is terribly sad to see that beautiful history destroyed...

M. L. Kiser
Date: 4/16/2019 4:17:00 AM

I nearly poured tears.