Fire-dwarfed we all sit,
stand, wait,
drawing along timelines
scythe-eyed for news
or perhaps revelation
that this is all
just a dream, a joke.
Dust-tongued our words
dry up like sand
through an hour glass.
All gone and past
leaving only empty air.
A promise
cracked apart.
History pour out,
breaks the damn of grief
and dark-vowelled words,
replacing now with then
as what will be
already spread its roots
in the tear-culled.
Carol J Forrester 
“leaving only empty air”..❤️
I can really feel a cathedral burning in your words… very fitting for today
I think the damage turned it to be less grave than feared but it’s still such a shame.
So sad and shocking, Carol. You captured the stunned disbelief beautifully.
Thank you. I’ve not heard from you in a while. Have you been enjoying your travels?
For about a month I was helping my elderly parents move. Not exactly “enjoyable” but it’s nice to have them in safe housing nearby. I got home yesterday, and it was great to start visiting blogs again. 😀
My apologies, thought I’d read you were off on holiday for a bit. I hope they’re both settling well and it’s good to have you back.
They are settling in. The biggest challenge is that my mom can’t smoke!
/all gone and past, leaving only empty air/–nice. I, too, worked with the burning of Notre Dame. Amazing to read so many different takes on the DT compound words.
I’m not surprised to hear I wasn’t the only one. I think it was one of those events that we all felt in some way.
pertinent and up-to-the-minute with this one Carol – excellent use of the word compounds but I loved your own too “drawing along timelines
scythe-eyed for news”
Thank you Laura. Some of the word compounds fit so well for the topic I couldn’t see how to write about anything else
Bell-tolling prophecy, as well as dirge. Succinct at the same time.
Thank you
We are “fire-dwarfed,” aren’t we? Especially against something like this.
It seemed like such a perfect phrase. The looming sensation in it couldn’t be more apt.
You’ve captured the stunned atmosphere of yesterday evening in this poem, Carol – fire-dwarfed and scythe-eyed fit perfectly, and ‘leaving only empty air’ made me gasp.
They were the phrases that jumped out when I read the prompt. They seemed to have been picked specially for this event.
The line that sums it up for me is this: “replacing now with then.” Such simple words that say so much about this great loss.
Thanks Linda. There’s always a merging of past, present, and future in such events.
This captures the sadness and disbelief we all felt last night. Great use of those compound words.
Thank you Sarah. I love the chance to play with words
This is so relevant of today. A sad day and we are stun-struck.
We are indeed. The rally of spirits has been amazing though.
Oh, so well put!
Thank you Candace.
Oh, Carol. Your composition burns with relevance.
Thank you. One of the things I want to do with my poetry is pull more from current events.
yes. it matters. ❤
I think one does feel fire-dwarfed. There is a feeling of helplessness as this huge historical landmark crumbles. There is definitely a shift from then to now.
I thought it was such a perfect phrase in light of the news.
Interesting, a puzzle. I was hoping for a clear closing but the mystery continued.
It’s the ideas of what could be taking root after a loss such as the plans for rebuilding mere hours after Norte dam had been extinguished.
I think of Ecclesiastes as I read your wonderful wordplay: “All is vanity, and a chase after wind…”
Excellent write!