Shapes of Sorrow

The castle stands upon the hill, firm and tall
Looming above the valley like a soldier standing guard
The castle is worn and old now—
tired from years of strenuous, backbreaking work
Its eyes have seen too many battles—
though it appears strong within, it is crumbling
It soldiers on knowing its duty 
What it was born to do

The ship lies against the sand and rock
Sore from the wound it has acquired
When will the doctor come to mend its break?
The fracture and severed limb 
It’s been a long while laying upon the shore alone
Some find comfort in the silence,
but the ship finds only emptiness 
Its decks are all but hollow now
Beaten and battered by the storm called life
Betrayed by the ones he once carried
In the end, the ship remains alone 

A sword cuts through whatever it touches
Like the blade of a lie, cutting through trust or
Like deceit slices through tender hopes 
A dull sword may take several swings to fell the mighty
Like whispers behind backs take time to catch up with the whisperer 

A rock is strong like a stubborn heart
But hit it with a hammer and just like despair 
The heart and the rock will shatter and—
There’s no returning from there 

A wolf is a vicious and hungry beast 
Its teeth are meant to rip and tear,
To kill with the mightiest of air
Just as those that mean to take you down
Their hunger is not for a feast, as a wolf devours
But to eat away at what you possess and they covet