From Carcassonne

A postcard villanelle.

Beauty Strong as Stone

(8th-9th of January, 2025)

I cast my eyes, in Carcassonne, upon
The majesty of centuries in stone;
Upon the beauty with the strength to linger on.

I wondered at that wisdom, nearly gone,
In search of which we often seek and roam,
And which I cast my eyes, in Carcassonne, upon;

In awe, I neared the basilica whereon,
Looking up, I saw the gargoyles moan.
Yes beauty, but need that strength linger on?

Red bricks and terracotta tiles shone
On towers rising up to regal cones,
As I cast my eyes, in Carcassonne, upon

That beauty which has grown and prevailed long
Within the sprawling walls of this grand home;
This beauty with the strength to linger on.

And listening to that epic castle's song,
I longed to know that beauty's strong as stone;
Stone which I cast my eyes, in Carcassonne, upon;
Stone with the beauty and the strength to linger on.

Miscellanea from Carcassonne.