Paris, Cry! Poem by Nhat Thuy Vi

Paris, cry!

Paris, cry! Cry out, Paris!
Cry tears from the bleeding wounds, violently inflicted
Cry till dawn, till nightmares will precede
And afar, I, too, cry for you with every heartbeat
I, too, wish to share the splitting pain you suffer

Cry, Paris, cry!
All eyes are brimming with tears, why not let yours flow?
The anguish, the anger, why hold it tight - in your very breath?
Why not speak, voicing innumerable words of lament?
Why are lips held tight, restraining from releasing your screams?

Night, Paris, night
Stands still
Night of horrors, night of fear and sadness
Where exist hearts of beasts, hearts blackened with revenge,
and hearts burning of death!

Cry, Paris, cry
For those blood-tainted souls wearing human masks
Cry for the pain they inflicted upon you with their senseless thoughts
Cry, Paris, cry for the deaths of innocent ones
Your flowing tears will wash the stains away
And my tears, alone, fall silently in darkness
For you, to you, Paris, the sadness I wish to share

Cry, Paris, cry!
Then rekindle hope
The lights of love, with a thousand colors, will shine without end
In their shadows, only the sweetness of love remains
And only kisses will ever-gently linger on your lips
Cry, Paris, cry! Then wipe away your tears
Wipe-off the stain of November thirteen’s darkness
Re-paint it! Re-paint the walls of Bataclan, fresh
And with the presence of the souls of those innocents,
from death, they will return and bear witness
Let’s bring back the music, the life, the light
Back to the cafes, the steps, those lovely walks
Oh Paris, let’s never, never forget!
You are the BEAUTY, the HEART OF LOVE –
And FOREVER- You will remain as such!

Nhật Thụy Vi
November 13,2015


https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=O_mkwK7mrPs