Watcher of the Wall

The wall around the castle

So frail began to crumble

Vines creeping into recesses

Vintage stones laid years past

Master craftsmen built with care

Protection from all harm

Long ago they fell poor chaps

To peaceful Utopian arms

A single craftsman yet remained

Watcher of the wall

Tender of the stones

Deaf to life’s sweet call

Never trimming greenery

Content to dwell within

Where

Outside world would not be seen

None could threaten him

He would remain forever

If that was its intention

Repairing every crevice

In

That wall of his invention

This was his job you see

To perch upon the ledge

Struggling for balance

With his might he pledged

Keeper and protector

He’d not let his wall down

Guard it mind and soul

He would

Keep it safe and proud

She brought for him a ladder once

“Come here before you tumble!”

“NO – I can’t this is my home.

“I’ve been here most my life you know…”

That old wall never trembled

The watcher kept it sound

As vines grew denser

He sank deeper

Lost to those around

One day she passed

And noticed

The watcher, he was gone?

Beneath the wall

Her ladder lie

Untouched, upon

The ground.

She cried, then sighed

Called out and wandered

Could he finally have

Come down?

The wall was stilled

in silence

With brush his ledge

Was crowned

She searched

Until the end of sun

Not a footprint could

Be found.

Victoria Rose

Skyline Publications

Copyright©2001

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