the Ruined Castle

An ancient castle, torn and rent,

its ivy covered battlements

and battered keep the world survey,

for no-one now can see the day

when once its walls were painted white

its halls were full of sound and light;

when knights and yeomen manned its walls,

and banners flew from ramparts tall.

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Some say this place is sad and dark,

that its ruined presence fills the park

with tales of woe and misery

that come from times of history.

that chivalry, so long now dead,

has left this place a place of dread;

its ruined walls, all falling down

have stolen from this place its crown.

To them I say,"That's not the case!

To me, the beauty of this place

is not the sound  of armour's clank,

not knights, nor kings, nor men of rank!

To me, 'tis nature's work again

that's beautified the work of men;

that's made these walls, once white and tall

a crumbling pleasure for us all!."

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This place of war did once resound

with angry battle cries all round.

Where once lay men, both cut and bleeding,

now frolic rabbits, calmly feeding.

From places where war banners flew

comes murmured now, the gentle coo

of quiet doves, those birds of peace

that tell us times of strife have ceased.

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The castle's meadow dark, is kissed

by rays of sunlight through the mist.

The steam that from the moat now lifts

is caused by sunlight's dappled kiss.

The broken gates of rusty iron,

where rose and jasmine intertwine,

are far more beautiful to me

than gallant knights of history.

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The lists, where once the jousts were fought

with wildflowers now are sweetly wrought.

The forecourt there, once paved with stone

is now with daisies overgrown.

The remnants of the outer wall

now echo with the blackbird's call;

and tiny creatures, quick and fleet,

now play where soldiers used to eat.

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Now once was I this fortress wide;

my banners flew in haughty pride;

till despots brought me crashing down

in shattered fragments to the ground..

Serenity, please turn the clock;

green moss, come grow o'er jagged rock.

Soft flowers, heal my battle scars;

tranquility, come, fill my hours.