Élégie Parisienne

November is fleeting
Beyond russet and gold
Past fiery orange
Of maples so bold
La vie en rose n’est pas trouvée ici,
Parce que la joie s’enfuit de Paris.

Tourists clad in mist gray cloaks
Stroll somberly along the Seine
The City of Lights has been brought to its knees
Tragedy has struck again
La vie en rose n’est pas trouvée ici,
Parce que la joie s’enfuit de Paris.

On city sidewalks heaped with roses
Parisians gather plagued by doubt
Constant are their prayer vigils
Is it safe to venture out?
La vie en rose n’est pas trouvée ici,
Parce que la joie s’enfuit de Paris.

Though Eiffel’s brilliance has been dimmed
Tri-color clouds float overhead
They testify to French resilience
Even while we mourn the dead
La vie en rose n’est pas trouvée ici;
Nous prions la joie revient à Paris.

Anne Coen
Valley Stream, NY USA
Donated to Catholic Relief Services