My dear friend, Alina Orlicka, wrote a very moving poem about the tragedy of Notre Dame. She speaks from the perspective of the cathedral; what would it say to us if it had the chance? I was very moved by her poem and I wanted to dedicate a photo to it. I thought I would focus on rejuvenation, representing the rebuilding of this ancient church as well as a rediscovery of the Spirit of Love that counteracts the spirit of chaos and hatred. I had an opportunity to go to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania today to accomplish this goal. The day was beautiful, and tulips of all shapes and colors were in full bloom. These lovely frilled tulips particularly caught my eye. I dedicate this image to Alina and the Spirit of Love.

Our Lady

You called me Our Lady.
You, my children, not my subjects.
For centuries you have dressed me in sculptures and stained-glass windows,
gold, jewels... I know your faces,
because a lot of you have been visiting these walls
to admire the work of your hands. It was a grim time
for me, for you, merry or indifferent.
Once, I felt like a bird in a golden cage,
sprinkled with an excess of indigestible karma,
when my heart was beating with the bell of failure.
Another time, I felt a milking hunger
to hear your thoughts in focused prayer,
to take you under my mother's defense.
Once you have saturated your frail bodies with my strength -
...you were indifferent to my presence...
You haven't noticed that all I want is this:
so that the fate of your neighbor may be indifferent to you (Google more accurately translates this verse: "that your fate is not indifferent to you") :
sister, mother, father, brother - and my beloved child!
How could I give you a sign?
Regardless of the fact that the fire will consume the walls, my bones,
and my heart will break like a falling bell -
I began to burn out of Love.

I am your opportunity to come to your senses:
that nothing is more than Love for your neighbor. - These are the words of the message.

Alina Orlicka

Translated with www.deepl.com/Translator


May Alina's poem be heard around the world and the message taken to heart by us all!