After the Fire

After the Fire

There are the shards of fallen bricks
But there also golden crucifix
Still standing silent in the wreck
Ruins lit up by one shining spec
Of light. And this it ever was
First the greatness, applause
The crowds in awe and praise
But ephemeral: nothing stays
And burning anger cries in rage
Thrust Pontius Pilate on the stage
Crowds called for blood, and for death
The Son of Man gives up last breath
Forgive, they know not what they do
Over wooden cross,a cold wind blew
The wind comes, and the wind goes
And where it comes, only one knows
From Jordan’s bank to wilderness
A time of trial, a time to bless
When Nero’s fire swept over Rome
Burnt peasant quarters and fine home
Such a consuming fire, raging fast
The citizens stood just there aghast
Just as today, the crackling sound
As wooden rooftop falls to ground
And crucify, the call once more
Is heard as ashes fall on floor
Now flames burn fierce, and timbers fall
And at Notre Dame, the spire tall
Comes crashing down, and all seems lost
And all some do is think of cost
But there in the ruins, an altar stays
In the darkest day, after such blaze
France’s Golgotha, a time to hear
Of communities of hope, without fear
In the upper room, cowards, afraid
The eleven trembled as they prayed
Lost courage, lost vision, they retire
But the Spirit comes with tongues of fire