It has been a hot month in the capital and people have slowed down in response to the heat

But we are visitors and are trying to see as much as possible during our short stay

You have asked me to take you to Notre Dame but that is impossible due to the recent fire

As we stand on the banks of the Seine we experience her terrible pain

A tear collects in your eye and drops quietly on to the dry river wall

You are momentary embarrassed by your emotion but soon realise that other people are weeping

 

When crossing the road we pause briefly to watch a wedding party celebrate a beautiful bride

The bookshop is not as cool as we might have hoped and it smells vaguely of patchouli

But you are living the history of building and are sensing the ghosts that haunt the walls

I purchase a copy of Howl for you and hide it in my canvas bag as it will be an evening gift

We take a slow refreshment in a nearby café but we are both longing for a shower in our cool hotel room

Which overlooks a shady green metro station and is less than a hour away