Horreur à Paris
By Michael Valentine
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Horreur à Paris
If I could spray words with the power of a Kalashnikov rifle
I would exhaust every breath I have to make you feel safe again
Don't let the tapping on the glass keep you awake
I would trade all of my days for your one night of sleep
I don't think I'll sleep tonight; the world seems too quiet
I know I'm not the only one sitting in the dark; thinking about empty streets
Trying not to think about what's happening at the hospital
Trying not to think about about the custodians who'll mop up l'horreur à Paris
No, I don't think I'll ever sleep again; the world is too quiet now
I'm sorry I won't bid you goodnight; kisses and tears are all I can give you
Stone, steel, romance and panic
Panic on the concrete dancefloors of Paris
The streets are desolate now
the chaos has gone to sleep
Now fear and loathing are kicking at the door
Do you recall the heart-broken man?
Please, never forget that face for me
And hold that pain in your chest until it hurts
Until your skin burns and your eyes bleed
And remember the heart-broken man of Marseilles, 1940.
It's okay, please don't cry
The monsters have gone away
And though I can't promise you they won't come back one day
And though I can't promise you we'll put the world to rights
I'll always leave a light on for you
The monster won't be back tonight
I'll sing you a lullaby if you like:
Ring-a-ring o' roses
the buses are exploding
Ashes, ashes,
the towers fall down
Bones, blood, horror and fanatics
Fanatics on the morgue slab pavements of Paris
The night winds won't whisper now
I cried out to them but heard back not a peep
As you implored bangs and rat-a-tats away from your door
I heard they wore masks, and it seems fitting that I should wear one for you,
This one is called 'Happy Face', and I made it myself
Of course I didn't forget you; I made one for you too
Because the papers are calling it "Horreur à Paris", and despite what you've seen
I won't let you become the heart-broken girl of Paris, 2015.
Why today? I don't know why
Of course the monsters make me cry
And though I can't promise you they won't come back one day
And though I can't promise you we'll put the world to rights
I'll always leave a light on for you
The monster won't be back tonight
I'll sing you a lullaby if you like:
Ring-a-ring o' roses
the theatres are exploding
Ashes, ashes,
the music is silent now
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Comments
Comment
I find it hard to believe you felt the need to apologise for the "less than polished" quality of this piece. Yes, it's visceral, full of feeling, full of the moment, but it's beautifully done. Very poignant to use Ring o' Roses in this way, although there is some doubt over its connection to the Black Death, that does not matter.
Absolutely terrific, very well done.
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