FRANCE

gjdomingue@compuserve.com

Celebrating Paris ...

by the light of a silvery dawn
with sharp, piercing clarity at noon
to a dazzling violet and vermillion sunset
emitting a kaleidoscope of prismatic colors
fiery and brilliant as diamonds
bouncing off architectural gems, elegant bridges,
gothic grandeur, towering ironmongery, ageless stone quais,
exploiting light and reflecting as in a mirror
on the gentle waters of the Seine.
Balzac's spirit smiles--
as young and old from far corners of the earth
accept the challenge to probe and sound his veritable ocean,
yet never know its depth.
L'heure bleue moves in--
that magical and mystical softness of a Parisian twilight
in all its innovative elegance
casting shadows and complementing Victor Hugo's legacy:
"A perfect expression of all that is, or ever was,
most celebrated on this planet."
Midnight approaches-- Paris becomes extravagantly emotional.
The savor of a gourment's delight and and epicurean's fantasy lingers.
Its solemn, golden dome of baroque harmonics slowly disappears.
There is that special glow of joy
exalted feelings reaching to the soul
while eloquent, celestial voices
silently speak to the heart
that indeed Oscar Wilde was right:
"All good Americans go to Paris when they die".

© All Copyright, July 23, 2001, Dr. Gerald J. Domingue .
All Rights Reserved. Printed By Permission.