The Bell-Ringer

The sunny morning bells ring clear
And swinging wide, he sings along
All Paris hearkens to his song –
But he can't hear.

The last gray stars in daylight fade
The dawn air peals the bells' bright ring
The glint of sunlight as they swing –
He stands in shade.

His lonely world in silence drowned
He guides the bells with skillful hands
He coaxes now, and now commands –
He feels their sound.

These towers all his dreams enclose
His only voice, the bells' warm tones
The echo sings against the stones –
It's all he knows.