The Sacrifice of Quasimodo

pondering Victor Hugo's famous character

What did the bell-ringer of Notre Dame give up?

Those whom he loved�"

He gave up Emmanuel

Angélique Françoise,

Denise David

And the others

Gave a sense back to God

He could feel the low F-sharp of the largest

Its resonance escaped him

 

Still there was Esmeralda

A beauty whose simple elegance

Shook his firm foundation

 

Born Agnes and kidnapped as a child

Quasimodo left in her place

To be abandoned at Notre Dame

 

Gifted from God

Learned to dance

Played the tambourine

 

And what of my sacrifice?

The dimensions of my soul

Excised�"Ruined by unfortunate choice

Dissolved into shadows that fade

And finally disappear

 

Like phantom limbs felt by amputees

Their apparent reality deceives me

Makes me feel whole

Knowing I am not

What do I miss?

 

The touch of loving hands

The knowledge of a tender heart

The warmth of a sunset

The chill of a winter snow

I lie upon the frozen land

Making angels

As I try to feel…once more