By Douglas J. Lanzo

Montmartre Majesty

Montmartre majesty
crowned by Sacré-Coeur,
gleams at me from cupolas
capping domed grandeur;

Within, gilded mosaics
of Christ’s triumphant reign,
arch rainbow-hued stained glass
illuming saintly panes.

This sacred heart of Paris,
pulses my veins with life,
where famed artists communed
to toast Moulin Rouge nightlife.

Roaming packed markets
where vendors peddle wares,
I imbibe croissants wafting
chocolate scent throughout the air;

Painters at wood easels
capture warmth and light,
as vibrant models pose,
smiling with delight.

Strolling past gardens
where Renoir often gazed,
I witness flowered beauty
in impressionist ways.

Partaking chocolate pie
at La Maison Rose,
my table marks the place
where Dalí’s dreams found repose.

Refreshed, I pass a vineyard
to The Agile Rabbit cabaret,
where Picasso made a portrait
for the owner — named Frédé, 

There, transfixed by romance
of Édith Piaf’s La Vie en Rose —I revel in its lesson —
that true love removes sorrows…

Filled with song and joy,
I saunter to carousels,
lit by children’s faces —
golden lights casting their spells.

What majesty lives on
within this paradise,
treasured by all people
beyond measure, without price.

###

A Fitting Tribute to the King of Clay

“You gave me a statue at Roland Garros. You made me feel like a Frenchman…my heart and memories will always be linked to this place. Thank you.”  Rafael Nadal’s concluding words at his May 25, 2025 Roland Garros Tribute

A final tribute, but not farewell
to Rafa at Roland Garros —
the humblest royal that
did ever grace a court in France.

Eyes that once burned fierce
with desire, grit and self-belief
glistened brown with emotion, as
tears did soften sun-dried clay.

A tribute on Philippe-Chatrier
to show gratitude and adoration
became one filled with
Rafa’s heartfelt love and thanks,
bestowed upon the family of people
who shaped his life and game.

From his infant son held on court
to coaches, trainers and rivals
he warmly embraced,
Rafa cherished his legacy and roots.

His “family” from near and far
celebrated this gladiator from Mallorca
with cries of “Merci”, “Gracias” and “Thanks”
cascading in waves of joyful emotion.

When it seemed nothing more
could be offered to their hero,
Paris immortalized the tearful legend
unveiling his stenciled footprint on center court,
letting him know that he would
forever be with them, etched into their hearts.

###

Joy Welling in Parched Desert

In tribute to the last 20 Israeli hostages
freed from captivity

Cries welling joy,
tears flowing sweet,
in loved ones’ arms,
they dance up streets,
filled to the brim
with love restored,
their storm-tossed lives
now safely moored. 

The brightest smiles
light flag-draped rooms
as families heal
and deserts bloom,
bursting with rain
nourishing souls,
slaking their thirst,
breaking their tolls;
as manna falls,
honeying sands,
refreshing all
in war-torn lands,
restored to peace
endowed with hope,
revived by love,
blossoming slopes.

###

Swept by Unearthly Spirit

In Memory of Pope John Paul II’s historic trip to Madrid on June 15, 1993

My newfound travel friend and I
rushed from the narrow elevator doors
of our clean but simple hostel
onto the streets of Madrid’s royal avenue — Gran Vía —
into a sea of yellow-gold and white flags
gleaming light, beaming joy and streaming energy,
all emanating from  the voices of thousands upon thousands
of Madrileños crying out “¡Bienvenido el Papa!”
as a white popemobile from which
a smiling 73-year-old Pope John Paul II
stood on a platform,
waving and extending his warmth and blessings
so personally to all of us,
as we cried out  — spontaneously —
in adoration.

As the Pope swept by,
I felt my entire being join
the fervor of the people,
uniting in a spirit of indescribable
joy, love and thankfulness
for this humble and holy man of God,
whose calls for human dignity
had transformed Poland and many nations.

Testing my imperfect Spanish,
my voice — if not my soul —
cried out papal welcome,
and joined the Latin banners
in exclaiming: “We are yours!”

As the motorcade continued to process
down the promenade toward the Royal Palace
to consecrate a resplendent stone cathedral
two world wars and a Civil War
in the making, I could sense
a communion of earthly and
heavenly spirits —
a released blessing of the Holy Spirit —
whom this saintly man of light
had earlier beseeched
at Poland’s Victory Square,
to descend…
and renew the earth.

###

Vibrant World of Mystery,
Ghostly Lights and Fear

Plumes of black smoke,
sulfur and ash,
orange magma fire —
cooling in a flash;

scalding bubbles
superheating sea —
blasting and churning,
exploding in debris;

forging stalagmites
ventilating life —
bacterial microbes
thriving in strife;

thronged by shrimp troupes
feasting in heat —
ingesting minerals
above their frantic feet.

Giant tube worms
without mouths to feed
gorge on bacteria
nourishing needs;

Flashing red humboldts
ambush lantern fish,
their teeth-hooked tentacles
tearing through dimmed dish.

Razor-toothed scabbards
unsheathe to wield swords —
until stunned by jellies
with light shows unmoored.

An angler’s bright glow
lures minnows too near —
caught by fearsome jaws
clamping shut with a sneer.

Ghostly snail fish
undulate haunting paths,
past brilliant red colors
of jellies and wrasse.

Coral flourishes
where the sun never shines,
more varied than reefs —
lush with colors divine.

What vibrant a world
lives at these crushing depths —
from which life has emerged
in remarkable steps —
awing us all,
fanning our fears…
feeding our dreams,
drawing us near.

###

Doug is an award-winning author and poet whose novel The Year of the Bear and novella I Have Lived were each named books of the year in 2023 and 2024 and whose inspirational poetry has won numerous contests and been published in 78 literary journals, 9 anthologies and 2 books around the globe.