Alistair Horne of Time Out tells me that for a whole week in 1871 French Communards were driven across Paris by government troops at this time, the beginning of *la semaine sanglante* (bloody week). Eastward, burning the city as they retreated. Then, facing overwhelming forces, they dug in at Cimetiere Pere Lachaise –between imposing bourgeois vaults– and made their last stand. Around the same time the U.S. decided to punish Korea for defense of its national territory. (1) Simultaneously, U.S. forces Aravaipa Apaches *under their protection* in Tucson…with the help of a group of local civilian volunteers (closely resembling our civilian volunteers along the Mexican border today).

Anyway, back to France…matters culminated on May 27th, when bullets and shells shattered the sanctified white marble, splintering bodies left and right. Blood splattered all over the ornate gravestones. The last holdout went down pretty much in the center of the cemetery…to the left of Balzac’s tomb. There were 147 who gave up, but…they were disposed of the next day — Whitsunday — against a wall; martyrs mowed down mercilessly.

Ever since then, the bullet-splattered wall, the Mur des Federes, has served as a highly emotive rallying point for the country’s left wing. A touchstone, you might say.

Please note that today’s article, “I See Dead People,” touches upon Pere Lachaise.

(1) Anyone interested in additional info on this, or anything… let me know.

Loving best with the light of the grave, Richard