By Douglas J. Lanzo
Copyright 2025

First published in Faith, Hope & Fiction (November 18, 2025 Issue)

Based on magical excursions in the City of Lights

As I rambled through Paris
on cobblestone paths
past storied museums
with arched Roman baths,
I fancied red chariots
pulled down regal streets
to cheers of spectators
and green laurel wreaths,
proclaiming Rome’s Caesar
their ruler supreme,
until Gaul’s King Clovis
realized the Frank’s dream,
uniting the kingdom
that would become France,
by becoming Catholic
and force of his lance.

I beheld the grandeur
of fountains and pools,
with sculptures of tritons
gilding royal rules,
and soaked in the splendor
of arched granite ways,
that greeted French soldiers —
full pomp on display,
returning on horseback
from Grand Army wars,
serving their Emperor
on multiple tours,
campaigning through Europe
in battles royale
until their Napoleon
fought bataille finale.

Exhausted by wars
I turned toward the sky
where the Eiffel Tower
arrested my eyes,
rising resplendent
at night more than day,
it dazzled with light —
bursting hues on display.

As I climbed up the tower
one stair at a time,
I pondered the city
and its sights sublime.

“What rivals on earth
this divine pageantry,
from the city of lights
crowning its majesty?”