Beyond the castle of mourning
The castle is a sleeping giant,
Its towers are knuckles,
its windows are closed eyes
and its heavy portcullis are its closed lips.

Beyond the castle of mourning
The flag on the turret flies like a bird
with a broken wing.
I captured the dancing rose of the King.
I ran like a magnificent leopard.

Beyond the castle of mourning
I captured a snake-handled sword,
as it self-importantly sliced,
struck and slashed the air.

Beyond the castle of mourning
The old walls whisper tales of battles won and lost.
I captured lightning in a bottle,
as it shook and quivered,
I thought of old times long ago.

Beyond the castle of mourning
The brave castle bared its teeth to the storm.
I captured a dragon’s heart,
braving the most fearsome of adventures to receive it.

Beyond the castle of mourning
The spiral staircase swallowed all who entered,
twisting them until they were lost in time.
I realized that not all is lost.

Beyond the castle of mourning
The castle sulked in the rain,
a grey face frowning at the world.
Maybe this is an illusion, but I hear voices overhead.

Beyond the castle of mourning
The stranger’s boom cracked the very foundation of the earth.
Could this man be the king,
or a trespasser, like me?