FRAGILE FORTRESS

 

The Fragile Fortress

Perched in my fragile fortress,

Where your shadow slumbers down the hall,

I watch the sparrows dive,

Crashing into walls like desperate calls.

I’ll linger here today,

Sprawled on the couch, watching them fall.

Life’s weight grows heavier still,

Harder to shroud, harder to conceal.

In the gloom that cloaks my space,

It’s easier to glimpse what’s real.

Beyond these brittle panes,

The world looms large, sharp, and surreal.

Just half an inch divides me

From the other side, so near, so far.

Chorus:

Guess the push has led to this,

So this must be the shove.

But before you cast your stones at me,

Tell me, what’s your fortress made of?  

If you think you’ve caught my missteps,

You’ll have to wait your turn in line.

For the sake of this verse,

Let’s pretend I’m doing fine—

Yes, I’m doing fine.

Locked in my transparent cage,

A throng has gathered since the dawn.

I brew a pot of solace,

While chaos brews beyond the lawn.

I’ll stay inside today,

Feign ignorance of what’s been drawn.

Chorus:

Seems the push has led to this,

So this must be the shove.

But before you hurl your judgments,

Tell me, what’s your shelter made of?  

If you’re sure you’ve seen my wrongs,

You’ll have to join the endless line.

For the sake of this refrain,

Let’s just say I’m doing fine—

Yes, I’m doing fine.