My son visited Notre Dame
The time he got engaged
And lit a candle for his Mum
On that medieval stage
Brought home the plastic top for me
A souvenir of that act
His love for his dear mother
A monumental fact
Magnificent cathedral
Ile de la Cite
Heart and centre
History of France
Beloved daughter of the Church
Now engulfed in flame
The old world is dying
And the Church, The Church?
The same
But now the church
New strengthened
Is ready to be cleaned
And rebuilt
According to its plan
The Gospel is the cleansing jet
Its waters will renew
And the candle Michael lit for Mum
Will inspire us to be true
Brian Fahy
18 September 2021
Erris Poetry 