Post by david on Nov 3, 2008 22:13:49 GMT -8
It could not be denied: Quasimodo had died
and the church had to find a new ringer.
‘Twas a job without perks and a succession of jerks
turned in aps, but the Priest said “don’t linger.
“No, the man for this job won’t emerge from the mob
this position requires unique credentials.
The average Joe cannot possibly know
what the duties require – the essentials”
So, the sign on the door stayed a month, maybe more
and the father almost gave up all hope.
With dozens rejected he finally expected
that he’d forever be pulling that rope.
As he did that each day he remembered to pray
and trusted that God would hear.
But each knock on the door just discouraged him more;
he gave up hope the right man would appear
When a new knock came, he couldn’t be blamed
for grumbling as he walked to the portal.
And he almost swore when he opened the door
and saw nobody: neither angel nor mortal.
“I’m not in the mood for an action so rude,”
cried the priest. “This is really the worst.”
But, “Wait!” came the call from one so small
that the priest didn’t see him at first.
And the priest, looking down, couldn’t maintain a frown
For this was a very eager young boy.
“I can ring that bell, I can ring it real well,”
he piped up with vigor and joy.
Suppressing a grin, the priest let him in.
“I don’t think this job’s for you, my son.”
“Well, I don’t see why you shouldn’t give me a try,”
said the boy. “I just might be the one.”
So the priest said “OK” and led the way
to the room with the ropes hanging down.
“By accident of fate, you just don’t have the weight
for this job,” he explained with a frown.
Undeterred, the young man took the rope in his hand
and gave it his all – maybe more.
But his little nudge didn’t make the rope budge
though his feet did leave the floor.
“It’s a shame you’re so small for you’re the best of them all,”
said the priest. “I wish the job were for you.”
“Ropes aren’t what I’m about, so don’t count me out,”
answered the boy. “I’m not through.”
“Whatever do you mean? I have seen what I’ve seen”
said the Priest, feeling substantial regret.
“In the belfry I’ll show the secret I know
that will force you to hire me, you bet.”
During their ascent, the boy took time to present
His life story in clear detail
His family it seems, had Notre Dame dreams
That led to this job, without fail.
“It’s important, you see; and not just to me
that I become the next in line.
Our family tradition is to seek this position.
So it’s my destiny; it would be so fine.
“Quasimodo held out and we began to doubt
that he’d ever relinquish the post.
Grandpa and Dad … missed their chance. It’s so sad,
Never getting what they wanted the most.
“But this is my chance and I’ll make it, perchance,
if I can demonstrate my ability.
When you see my skill, I’m just certain you will
make our family dream a reality.”
When this unlikely pair reached the top of the stair
said the priest, “now show what you can do”
“I’m prepared,” said the lad, “It’s the best day I’ve had, "
Looking up, he whispered, “Gramps, this is for you.”
He moved back in the well, and took aim at the bell,
then then ran forward with all of his might.
When he was almost there, he flung himself through the air
and became a projectile in flight.
The boy aimed very well and his nose hit the bell
and created a wonderful peal.
He just lay on the ground and enjoyed the sweet sound.
“The job’s mine,” he exclaimed with a squeal.
The priest was surprised, couldn’t believe his own eyes.
He’d never beheld such a sight.
“That had to hurt,” was all he could blurt.
And then, “Son, are you all right?”
But the lad was up in a hurry, “Father don’t you worry,
I can do this all day. That’s a fact.”
“This won’t do,” said the Priest. “It’s a risk, at the least.
I can imagine how the Cardinal would react.”
“You’re disappointed, I’m sure; but I have to demur,
I just can’t let you suffer such strife.”
“But, I’m not in this for health, nor for fame or for wealth,
it’s my calling, my destiny, my life.”
“If you turn me down, imagine how that will sound
to my grandma whose dreams will shattered?
For all of her life disappointment was rife –
this became all that really mattered.
“The action you take isn’t just for my sake;
All my family has a stake in your choice.
And if he could, grandfather would
call to you from his grave in strong voice.
“By the way, did you hear how the bell sounded clear?
I can make it sound better by far.
See, the personal touch adds ever so much
to the tone and the timber; I’m a star.
“If you give me this perch, folks will flock to your church
And the bell will fill pews – and your coffers.
Ringing the bell with my face will enhance this place.
It’s more than Quasimodo could offer
“Don’t you see why, you MUST give me a try.
Let me show, once again, I can do it.
If I fail, I’ll agree, that the blames is on me.
You’re off the hook and that’s all there is to it.
“Let me ring it again, don’t decide until then.
Just please listen and I’m sure you’ll agree
that I make this bell sing and that’s just the thing
to bring meaning to both you and to me.”
The priest had his fears, but the logic was clear;
It seemed prudent to allow one more try.
With that as a condition, the boy took his position
in the corner. Then came time to fly.
Taking seven quick paces, toward the bell he races
and he takes flight as before, but not so well.
One thing wasn’t the same: he’d failed to take aim
and he ricocheted off of the bell.
He veered to the right, through the window, out of sight
and the priest clutched his chest in dismay.
There was no hope for survival; he’d be dead on arrival,
a young life cut short on this fateful day.
The priest looked down at a crowd gathering ‘round
in the courtyard beside the boy who’d just died.
As he raced down the stairs he imagined the glares
he’d receive from the people outside.
Observing the priest’s reaction, a Gendarme suspected infraction
and asked, “Father, what went wrong?”
“You won’t believe what I say; but it happened this way.
But take notes, for my story is long.”
“Just the facts,” said the cop. “I’ll tell you when to stop.
And please don’t apply imagination.
I have a job to do; and it’s not up to you
to take control of this investigation.”
The priest said, “of course,” I support the police force.”
I will answer your questions with care.”
“I’m sure that you will,” answered officer Bill.
“Now, we’re starting to get somewhere.
“First, please give to me the victim’s complete I.D.
What’s his name?” asked the fuzz.
The priest reflected, then confessed he’d neglected
To ask the small boy who he was.
“Now that’s a bad start, and please take it to heart,
that I’ll need more cooperation.”
“What I said is just true, what would you have me do?
Should I resort to complete fabrication?”
“You’ll tell the truth if you’re wise, we get rough with smart guys
and don’t think that priests aren’t included.
If you can’t help me here, the precinct station is near.
If you think I’m not serious, you’re deluded.”
“Not at all!” the priest cried, “And I haven’t lied.
I’ll help you all that I can.”
“Then use your head, consider all that he said
and help me identify this man.”
“I will rack my brain in an attempt to explain
every detail I am able to tell.”
But my answer’s the same: Though I didn’t catch his name
I assure you his face rings a bell.
Wait! The story’s not done; that was just chapter one
A week later more began to transpire.
If I stopped, you’d have missed when the tale took a twist
…now how could suspense get much higher?
A week later – to the day; the priest had resumed his way;
He was ringing the bell on his own.
Came a knock on the door – just like before
and the father’s heart fell like a stone.
He peered through the crack as memories flooded back.
Once again there was no one in view.
Throwing open the door, he looked down; to his horror
an apparition smiled up and said, “You…
“…are looking for a fellow who can ring your bell. Oh
I am the one that you are looking for.”
“Get out of my head, don’t you know that you’re dead?”
cried the priest, as he slammed the door.
His head filled with horror as he waited and prayed by the door
But the knock came again … repeated.
“Begone you apparition; go away on your own volition.
Let me be. I give up; I have lost; I’m defeated”
He fell on his knees and begging, said “Please…
Mea culpa, mea culpa the most”
A soft voice filtered through, “Let me in, please won’t you?
I promise that I’m not a ghost.
“If you’re not the undead, what are you instead?
The Devil or Satan? What else could you be?”
“Open the door and I’ll say – but I won’t go away
‘till I’ve seen you and you’ve listened to me.”
So, resigned to his fate, the priest opened the gate
and discovered to his great dismay
that the one he let in was the same or the twin
of the boy who had died on that day.
“I’m not the one, but the other; yes, I am the twin brother
Of the one whom you met at his death
And I’m here to claim – in my family’s name –
The job he sought with his last breath.
“My brother, now martyred left us all broken hearted.
But our resolve is strong and steady
Our destiny is unfulfilled, but our dream has not been killed.
My time has arrived and I’m ready.
“Now, what you must do is to let me show you
That I can complete what my brother advanced.
Let’s go up to the tower, right now in this hour.
This is my moment and I demand a chance.”
“Oh God, don’t you see that you can’t ask this of me?
I’m unable to bear the strain.
I understand what you seek; but after what happened last week
there’s no way I can do it again.”
But the boy pleaded and begged until the father reneged
“All right, you can ring, just one time.”
And now this second one, like his brother had done
Followed the priest as he began to climb.
When they reached the top, neither wanted to stop
to reflect on what happened before.
They both looked at the bell and the lad said, “Oh, well,
here goes nothing or something much more.”
Wondering what should be said, the boy looked straight ahead.
Then he cried, “let’s do this deed”
The priest looked away and began to pray
as the twin moved ahead and gained speed
But when he launched in the air he took note with dispair
that his trajectory was terribly wrong.
Nothing done in mid flight could make things right
He was doomed and would die before long.
The priest peeked and went pale as he saw the lad sail
through the window as his brother had done.
“Can this horror be true, this is deja vue!”
he cried as he started to run.
He dashed into the light and beheld a familiar sight:
a body, a crowd and a cop.
“It’s more than I can bear, please, God, take me somewhere
far away; make the nightmare stop.
But no relief could be found and again came the sound
af the gendarme: a new interrogatory.
“You must explain this to me, I’m suspicious, can’t you see?”
he demanded with the voice of authority.
“You won’t believe what I say, that it happened this way…”
Cried the priest in great frustration.
“You had better be straight, it will soon be too late.
You’ll be jailed in a cell at the station”
“Oh, what can I do, what I say is all true.
What occurred here was exactly the same
as it happened before – it just happened once more…
And now you will ask for his name…”
“Yes, I will,” said the cop. “Let’s take it from the top.
Who was this unfortunate young man?”
And the priest hung his head, he knew whatever he said
that the officer would put him in the can.
“It all happened so fast that I didn’t take time to ask
for his name or for anything other.
All I can tell you – and it’s perfectly true
Is that he’s a dead ringer for his brother.”
and the church had to find a new ringer.
‘Twas a job without perks and a succession of jerks
turned in aps, but the Priest said “don’t linger.
“No, the man for this job won’t emerge from the mob
this position requires unique credentials.
The average Joe cannot possibly know
what the duties require – the essentials”
So, the sign on the door stayed a month, maybe more
and the father almost gave up all hope.
With dozens rejected he finally expected
that he’d forever be pulling that rope.
As he did that each day he remembered to pray
and trusted that God would hear.
But each knock on the door just discouraged him more;
he gave up hope the right man would appear
When a new knock came, he couldn’t be blamed
for grumbling as he walked to the portal.
And he almost swore when he opened the door
and saw nobody: neither angel nor mortal.
“I’m not in the mood for an action so rude,”
cried the priest. “This is really the worst.”
But, “Wait!” came the call from one so small
that the priest didn’t see him at first.
And the priest, looking down, couldn’t maintain a frown
For this was a very eager young boy.
“I can ring that bell, I can ring it real well,”
he piped up with vigor and joy.
Suppressing a grin, the priest let him in.
“I don’t think this job’s for you, my son.”
“Well, I don’t see why you shouldn’t give me a try,”
said the boy. “I just might be the one.”
So the priest said “OK” and led the way
to the room with the ropes hanging down.
“By accident of fate, you just don’t have the weight
for this job,” he explained with a frown.
Undeterred, the young man took the rope in his hand
and gave it his all – maybe more.
But his little nudge didn’t make the rope budge
though his feet did leave the floor.
“It’s a shame you’re so small for you’re the best of them all,”
said the priest. “I wish the job were for you.”
“Ropes aren’t what I’m about, so don’t count me out,”
answered the boy. “I’m not through.”
“Whatever do you mean? I have seen what I’ve seen”
said the Priest, feeling substantial regret.
“In the belfry I’ll show the secret I know
that will force you to hire me, you bet.”
During their ascent, the boy took time to present
His life story in clear detail
His family it seems, had Notre Dame dreams
That led to this job, without fail.
“It’s important, you see; and not just to me
that I become the next in line.
Our family tradition is to seek this position.
So it’s my destiny; it would be so fine.
“Quasimodo held out and we began to doubt
that he’d ever relinquish the post.
Grandpa and Dad … missed their chance. It’s so sad,
Never getting what they wanted the most.
“But this is my chance and I’ll make it, perchance,
if I can demonstrate my ability.
When you see my skill, I’m just certain you will
make our family dream a reality.”
When this unlikely pair reached the top of the stair
said the priest, “now show what you can do”
“I’m prepared,” said the lad, “It’s the best day I’ve had, "
Looking up, he whispered, “Gramps, this is for you.”
He moved back in the well, and took aim at the bell,
then then ran forward with all of his might.
When he was almost there, he flung himself through the air
and became a projectile in flight.
The boy aimed very well and his nose hit the bell
and created a wonderful peal.
He just lay on the ground and enjoyed the sweet sound.
“The job’s mine,” he exclaimed with a squeal.
The priest was surprised, couldn’t believe his own eyes.
He’d never beheld such a sight.
“That had to hurt,” was all he could blurt.
And then, “Son, are you all right?”
But the lad was up in a hurry, “Father don’t you worry,
I can do this all day. That’s a fact.”
“This won’t do,” said the Priest. “It’s a risk, at the least.
I can imagine how the Cardinal would react.”
“You’re disappointed, I’m sure; but I have to demur,
I just can’t let you suffer such strife.”
“But, I’m not in this for health, nor for fame or for wealth,
it’s my calling, my destiny, my life.”
“If you turn me down, imagine how that will sound
to my grandma whose dreams will shattered?
For all of her life disappointment was rife –
this became all that really mattered.
“The action you take isn’t just for my sake;
All my family has a stake in your choice.
And if he could, grandfather would
call to you from his grave in strong voice.
“By the way, did you hear how the bell sounded clear?
I can make it sound better by far.
See, the personal touch adds ever so much
to the tone and the timber; I’m a star.
“If you give me this perch, folks will flock to your church
And the bell will fill pews – and your coffers.
Ringing the bell with my face will enhance this place.
It’s more than Quasimodo could offer
“Don’t you see why, you MUST give me a try.
Let me show, once again, I can do it.
If I fail, I’ll agree, that the blames is on me.
You’re off the hook and that’s all there is to it.
“Let me ring it again, don’t decide until then.
Just please listen and I’m sure you’ll agree
that I make this bell sing and that’s just the thing
to bring meaning to both you and to me.”
The priest had his fears, but the logic was clear;
It seemed prudent to allow one more try.
With that as a condition, the boy took his position
in the corner. Then came time to fly.
Taking seven quick paces, toward the bell he races
and he takes flight as before, but not so well.
One thing wasn’t the same: he’d failed to take aim
and he ricocheted off of the bell.
He veered to the right, through the window, out of sight
and the priest clutched his chest in dismay.
There was no hope for survival; he’d be dead on arrival,
a young life cut short on this fateful day.
The priest looked down at a crowd gathering ‘round
in the courtyard beside the boy who’d just died.
As he raced down the stairs he imagined the glares
he’d receive from the people outside.
Observing the priest’s reaction, a Gendarme suspected infraction
and asked, “Father, what went wrong?”
“You won’t believe what I say; but it happened this way.
But take notes, for my story is long.”
“Just the facts,” said the cop. “I’ll tell you when to stop.
And please don’t apply imagination.
I have a job to do; and it’s not up to you
to take control of this investigation.”
The priest said, “of course,” I support the police force.”
I will answer your questions with care.”
“I’m sure that you will,” answered officer Bill.
“Now, we’re starting to get somewhere.
“First, please give to me the victim’s complete I.D.
What’s his name?” asked the fuzz.
The priest reflected, then confessed he’d neglected
To ask the small boy who he was.
“Now that’s a bad start, and please take it to heart,
that I’ll need more cooperation.”
“What I said is just true, what would you have me do?
Should I resort to complete fabrication?”
“You’ll tell the truth if you’re wise, we get rough with smart guys
and don’t think that priests aren’t included.
If you can’t help me here, the precinct station is near.
If you think I’m not serious, you’re deluded.”
“Not at all!” the priest cried, “And I haven’t lied.
I’ll help you all that I can.”
“Then use your head, consider all that he said
and help me identify this man.”
“I will rack my brain in an attempt to explain
every detail I am able to tell.”
But my answer’s the same: Though I didn’t catch his name
I assure you his face rings a bell.
Wait! The story’s not done; that was just chapter one
A week later more began to transpire.
If I stopped, you’d have missed when the tale took a twist
…now how could suspense get much higher?
A week later – to the day; the priest had resumed his way;
He was ringing the bell on his own.
Came a knock on the door – just like before
and the father’s heart fell like a stone.
He peered through the crack as memories flooded back.
Once again there was no one in view.
Throwing open the door, he looked down; to his horror
an apparition smiled up and said, “You…
“…are looking for a fellow who can ring your bell. Oh
I am the one that you are looking for.”
“Get out of my head, don’t you know that you’re dead?”
cried the priest, as he slammed the door.
His head filled with horror as he waited and prayed by the door
But the knock came again … repeated.
“Begone you apparition; go away on your own volition.
Let me be. I give up; I have lost; I’m defeated”
He fell on his knees and begging, said “Please…
Mea culpa, mea culpa the most”
A soft voice filtered through, “Let me in, please won’t you?
I promise that I’m not a ghost.
“If you’re not the undead, what are you instead?
The Devil or Satan? What else could you be?”
“Open the door and I’ll say – but I won’t go away
‘till I’ve seen you and you’ve listened to me.”
So, resigned to his fate, the priest opened the gate
and discovered to his great dismay
that the one he let in was the same or the twin
of the boy who had died on that day.
“I’m not the one, but the other; yes, I am the twin brother
Of the one whom you met at his death
And I’m here to claim – in my family’s name –
The job he sought with his last breath.
“My brother, now martyred left us all broken hearted.
But our resolve is strong and steady
Our destiny is unfulfilled, but our dream has not been killed.
My time has arrived and I’m ready.
“Now, what you must do is to let me show you
That I can complete what my brother advanced.
Let’s go up to the tower, right now in this hour.
This is my moment and I demand a chance.”
“Oh God, don’t you see that you can’t ask this of me?
I’m unable to bear the strain.
I understand what you seek; but after what happened last week
there’s no way I can do it again.”
But the boy pleaded and begged until the father reneged
“All right, you can ring, just one time.”
And now this second one, like his brother had done
Followed the priest as he began to climb.
When they reached the top, neither wanted to stop
to reflect on what happened before.
They both looked at the bell and the lad said, “Oh, well,
here goes nothing or something much more.”
Wondering what should be said, the boy looked straight ahead.
Then he cried, “let’s do this deed”
The priest looked away and began to pray
as the twin moved ahead and gained speed
But when he launched in the air he took note with dispair
that his trajectory was terribly wrong.
Nothing done in mid flight could make things right
He was doomed and would die before long.
The priest peeked and went pale as he saw the lad sail
through the window as his brother had done.
“Can this horror be true, this is deja vue!”
he cried as he started to run.
He dashed into the light and beheld a familiar sight:
a body, a crowd and a cop.
“It’s more than I can bear, please, God, take me somewhere
far away; make the nightmare stop.
But no relief could be found and again came the sound
af the gendarme: a new interrogatory.
“You must explain this to me, I’m suspicious, can’t you see?”
he demanded with the voice of authority.
“You won’t believe what I say, that it happened this way…”
Cried the priest in great frustration.
“You had better be straight, it will soon be too late.
You’ll be jailed in a cell at the station”
“Oh, what can I do, what I say is all true.
What occurred here was exactly the same
as it happened before – it just happened once more…
And now you will ask for his name…”
“Yes, I will,” said the cop. “Let’s take it from the top.
Who was this unfortunate young man?”
And the priest hung his head, he knew whatever he said
that the officer would put him in the can.
“It all happened so fast that I didn’t take time to ask
for his name or for anything other.
All I can tell you – and it’s perfectly true
Is that he’s a dead ringer for his brother.”
