Castle Walls

Its ghostly, desolate shell resposes atop a craggy tor,
Overlooking the restless sea on England's venerable shore.
Though its walls have withstood the ravages of countless ages,
Its name and former majesty are lost in history's pages.

What gay times must've abounded within its sturdy walls!
Sumptuous repasts with joints of meat and elegant balls!
The chase for stag and fox with the running of the hounds!
Celebrating with games and picnics on its compelling grounds!

Now, according to local lore, eerie things are seen and heard,
Scenes portrayed by phantoms of events that once occurred!
On moonlit nights a spectral guard is seen to pace its towers;
Clad in mail, armed with lance, he's heard to herald the hours!

On stormy nights as thunder crashes and the savage gale shrieks,
Lightning illumes a princess wraith, tears coursing down her cheeks.
She waves to her prince sitting astride his steed of white, 
Who goes forth into battle, this, her handsome, valiant knight!

Did in this once magnificent castle reside a royal line?
We are forever left to wonder about its calamitous decline.
If these cold, gray, massive walls could only speak
To reveal its secrets!  But, alas, they now stand mute and bleak.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Messina Avatar
November 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Great writing, Bob. Sorry, I haven't checked in, in a while. Hope you are doing and living well my friend. All the very best, Charlie
Messina Avatar
November 13, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Great writing, Bob. Sorry, I haven't checked in, in a while. Hope you are doing and living well my friend. All the very best, Charlie
Wolf Avatar
November 1, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Magnificent, Bob. Such grander, expressed so eloquently. Excelsior! Best always, Gershon
Cornish Avatar
October 30, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Honored that you wrote for this contest Bob--you are soup "royalty"! I pray you well and you haven't lost your touch!
Bauer Avatar
October 19, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Hey Bob! This is a wonderful poem, especially since I've just returned from a trip to Scotland where I got to see a few castles exactly as you've described them...
Hinshaw Avatar
October 19, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Thanks, Ilene and I've been following your travels via your very fun poems about it. Sounds like you had a grand time and happy you returned safely with more wonderful memories! Vera and I took a tour of England a few years ago and it included Scotland. Bob H
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace