Disbelievingly, an intellectual traveller
walked towards the city's main Cathedral.
A towering magnificent Medieval construction,
built in an epoch of tumultuous Crusades.


At a time when Europe's principal dogma
was practicing the Gospel literally,
and the aristocratic politics of the age
was dominated by the providential Church.


The atheist traveller discordantly regarded
the Bible passages as mostly mythological. 
Passed on by wondering nomadic tribes
and roughly scribed from earliest times.


It started amongst Judaic seditious preachers. 
Now, identity ingrained, deep into the bedrock.
Forming into a mainstay of European consciousness.
Culturally combined with the Ancients, in synthesis.


The traveller passed the wrought iron gates
observing the fine gargoyle shaped masonry.
When he became griped by derision for crossing.
He swelled into profund pensiveness. 


His mind clearly denouncing religions as fictitious.
He believed Europe must break from its clutches.
Harping back for an enlightened, rational
scientific age of reason.


For he would Hail the 14th of July, 1789.
An epoch that saw the first erosion of superstitions. 
Which carried on until the bayonets and cannons
of Napoleon's Grande Armee were finally silenced.


Napoleon was the vanguard liberating Europe
from the Ancient Regimes with Clerics and Pontiffs.
Replacing them with intellectualism, rationality.
Pushing beyond the frontiers of la belle France.


These thoughtful outbursts calmed him for the tour.
He decided to open himself, analytically, with reason.
Despite the irony of the impending visit now upon him,
of the Cathedral's detested Majesty. 


Now, entered the rational logical traveller,
through intricate worked giant wooden doors.
Gazing in wonder at the impressive skill and craftsmanship 
from devote but uneducated religious ancestors.


The hand carvings, even on the antique furnishings.
Some with old rouge finely cured leather cushions.
The whiff of the aroma olden aged, ashed burned candles 
and fragrant dense incense spirals through high acoustics.


What light there was hypnotically spiritual,
peering through the ether on darkened aisles.
On vision the rays in myriad spectrum display,
passing translucent stained glass Gothic windows.


Adorned with Saints and crested Medieval Knights,
as if from Mount Atlas surrounded by all the Gods.
depicting a Biblical epic, even St George slaying the dragon.
Nearby each arch, the stages of the cross. 


He felt deeply elevated with unusual sensations.
Not by narcotics, nor opiates, as he thought the religious.
Entering another dimension which uplifted his senses.
Though his feet were firmly on the patterned marbled floor.


He found himself studious at Saintly statues
and the various religious worshipped icons. 
Some with cryptic messages or symbolism,
by Templar Orders, ritualised by Holy Land journeys.


Aphoristically wondering as to the possible meanings.
Noticing that each statue, from the Holy Mother Mary
to St Peter, was drenched in a dark liquid substance.
It took on the appearance of deep red colouring.


Though impaired by the obscured vision in the Cathedral,
since, there was little luminous light, due to the smoke.
The traveller reached out to touch the statues 
and the red dye felt unusual to the touch.


Possibly, it was decor from a recent festival,
with the faithful in procession carrying each statue.
It sure seemed very much like blood stains
and it was very copiously adorned.


He was totally dismissive, as it seemed like paint.
Ignoring his induction which would indicate otherwise.
Yet, the traveller was pacing deeper into self-feelings,
as he passed by Christ's bloodied crucifixion.


It was noticeable - the suffering painfully for our Sins.
How strange this affliction and punishment seemed.
He continuing onwards deducing nothing untoward. 
Still ignoring his inductive reasoning.


Now, he was between the nave and the sanctuary,
where walked onto a set antiquated stairs.
Hand made by those same highly skilled carpenters.
Set within highly decorative masonry; the mason's penance.


What would impress, almost anyone, was the detail
of the hard craft on those seats, leading from the stairs.
The various coat of arms and armrests resembling lions,
fashioned out of darkened wood.


Which compelled him to examine further about the pews.
Eventually, he seated to rest and absorb the atmosphere. 
When suddenly echoed, from nearby, drawing his notice,
that the Cathedral was actually live in mass.


Selectively pondering at the spectacle he was witnessing.
At what he saw as the gullible ignorant religious folk.
He saw the Bishop raising the bread then wine.
Shared body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion.


From deep within his being something began to stir. 
The traveller verging now in the metaphysical,
as if possessed by the realms or something unexplained, 
or he'd stepped out of his own earthly body.


The traveller felt stricken as if somehow immensely overcome,
and could not avoid his uncontrollable tears.
Now, totally surprised, disbelieving and confused.
He drew the attention of the whole congregation.


He wailed out in the echoing nave-like spaces.
Streaming on both cheeks to the point his eyes felt sore.
Now, dispossessed of sanity or his faculties disturbed.
Losing reason, worse had he been seen by his peers.


Whenever he attempted and tried to stop himself,
or to regain composure he would fail.
The grief that overpowered intensified by the effort.
He found himself crying till thanks be to God.


The traveller remained in shocked and deeply ashamed. 
He got up and quickly went down the stairs to leave.
Still dispossessed by emotions that he once despised. 
Unable to understand nor fathom what had happened.


Then he soon noticed the numerous piercing eyes
from the Cathedral congregation and other tourists. 
Even, the curiosity of Priests opening confessionals.
Even, Nuns and old women saying prayers for their departed. 


Standing next to inner ornate doors within giant doors,
somehow noticing the traveller who was unrestrained,
an old grey haired man, a doorkeeper, said,
"It has happened to you, hasn't it? Also to me."


When atheist hurriedly passing through the doors,
still in complete denial, uttered the words,
"Sorry, I don't know," taking flight down the road.
As far as he could to distance himself from the Cathedral.