Notre-Dame de Paris was burning.
I sat listening to a live broadcast and wondered what it meant—
that such a landmark could be at threat.
I noticed something curling, licking flames
at the edges of my own life—
the cinder, it grew.
Gargoyles groaned and made known—
they, too, witnessed fire without ruin.
Reconstruction sometimes involves
a flame of discouragement.
If not for its stone and bell towers,
the historic heart would have collapsed.
If not for my mind’s self-protecting skills,
I would have been engulfed—
unlikely to make it out.
Illusions hold truths
not yet bearable for us.
Setting aside and preserving
what we’ll need
to honor history.
The mind is a cathedral.
Author’s Note:
Notre-Dame de Paris caught fire on April 15, 2019. Many sacred relics and icons were saved, and years of careful restoration followed. The cathedral reopened to the public in December 2024, with more of its beauty returning each season as work continues.
© 2025 Raven | Jasmine on the Grave. All rights reserved.
Jasmine on the Grave 
This is really good. I like it a lot. As an aside, there is an Australian singer – Grace Cummings, she references the Notre Dame fire in her song “Up in Fames” which is really good too.
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Thank you so much, and thank you for the song recommendation. I very much appreciate it. ❤️
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Always welcome ❤
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Same. Thank you.
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Her voice is lovely, raw and visceral. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful song.
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Yes, her voice is wonderful.
Im happy you like it.
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I am officially laced by your verses. Love this one as per usual 😍
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Wow, thank you! That means a lot to me. I am happy my writing resonates with you.
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You wrote a beautiful poem about this fire. I certainly remembered when it happened and we visited Notre Dame back in May. At that time the organs (the instruments) were not yet back. I don’t know if that is still the case.
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Thank you so much for sharing that memory. It must have been incredible to visit in person, even while the cathedral was still being restored. I love that you remembered it through the poem, that means a lot to me.
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