Castle and Keep

Castle and Keep                                                               10/6/2015

I didn’t want to leave

But, I had no other answer

Out of money

And out of options.

I went from room to room

And picked up the remains

Lifeless, empty,

Numb, and cold. 

The laughter was gone

And I could hear no echoes

The walls silent

And the cupboards bare. 

The stairs still creaked

And the trees still swayed

Gently brushing the roof

And covered with vines.

I tried hard not to think

And I tried not to hope

Staring at a future

Gray, dull, and indistinct.  

I sold my mother’s diamonds

And I sold a whole lot else

Numbing myself to everything

And everyone. 

But sometimes we must lose

In order to gain

And sometimes we must sacrifice

In order to grow.

Dying to self

In order to live 

And letting go 

In order to keep.

Moving under the surface

And slowly growing in place

Even if we are wounded

And even if we lose.

 

Everything is coming back

Slowly but surely 

One after another 

Bigger, greater

And richer. 

 

What I lost, is nothing

But what I have gained, is everything

Priceless, and authentic

The truth remains

Above all.

This king has no crown

But my castle is ready

Because in nothing

We are everything. 

It is here that I shall write

And it is here that I shall dream

A refuge from hatred

And a fortress of peace.

Steep and stout

Strong and mighty

A shield for my treasure

And armor for my heart.

We will put logs on the fire

And laugh heartily once more

Blessing all who enter

And all who go forth.

Let these words

Ring in the rafters

And let these prayers

Soak into the walls.  

That nothing is impossible

With faith, hope, and love

And nothing hopeless

With humility and prayer. 

Humble, noble, and honorable

Rock, stone, and timber

A miracle from loss

That no man can own.