A villanelle was so fitting for the message. The castles endure and remain, just like the refrains. I’ve often felt the same, too, when visiting such sites. Great writing and photography as always!
Cheers James! I'm glad you enjoyed this one -- my first attempt at a villanelle. It's a fun, though quite difficult form, and I'm sure I'll return to it soon for more exploration.
Thanks Charles! When I wrote that stanza, I was wondering about the New Jerusalem, and whether the motif of monstrous gargoyles guarding the church would need to linger or continue in that city -- once the devil they guard against has been 'thrown into the lake of burning sulphur' (Rev. 20:10). It seems a good and righteous architectural motif for the current day, but I found myself wondering if it will linger on eternally ... In some ways, I was also just asking a rhetorical question about the time to come when beauty will no longer need to be defended by slightly monstrous strength (Saint Christopher, gargoyles and the like).
Wow, I didn't realise that gargoyles were perceived to be defenders. It reminds me of the cherubim that were placed at the east of the garden to guard the way to the tree of life with a flaming sword (Gen 3:24).
A villanelle was so fitting for the message. The castles endure and remain, just like the refrains. I’ve often felt the same, too, when visiting such sites. Great writing and photography as always!
Cheers James! I'm glad you enjoyed this one -- my first attempt at a villanelle. It's a fun, though quite difficult form, and I'm sure I'll return to it soon for more exploration.
Wow, marvellously poetic, and aren't the stained-glass windows beautiful? I feel captivated to know about Carcassonne history now.
About this part here, it looks like you question the cost of having gargoyles in the design.
The italic on "that" on the last line points to a strength of it as a symbol.
"In awe, I neared the basilica whereon,
Looking up, I saw the gargoyles moan.
Yes beauty, but need that strength linger on?"
Thanks Charles! When I wrote that stanza, I was wondering about the New Jerusalem, and whether the motif of monstrous gargoyles guarding the church would need to linger or continue in that city -- once the devil they guard against has been 'thrown into the lake of burning sulphur' (Rev. 20:10). It seems a good and righteous architectural motif for the current day, but I found myself wondering if it will linger on eternally ... In some ways, I was also just asking a rhetorical question about the time to come when beauty will no longer need to be defended by slightly monstrous strength (Saint Christopher, gargoyles and the like).
Wow, I didn't realise that gargoyles were perceived to be defenders. It reminds me of the cherubim that were placed at the east of the garden to guard the way to the tree of life with a flaming sword (Gen 3:24).
This is wonderful! Thank you!
Cheers Katie! Glad you enjoyed it.
Cheers back!