Invisible Walls

"Sitteth Peschiera, fortress fair and strong, To front the Brescians and the Bergamasks, Where round about the bank descendeth lowest. There of necessity must fall whatever In bosom of Benaco cannot stay, And grows a river down through verdant pastures. Soon as the water doth begin to run, No more Benaco is it called, but Mincio, Far as Governo, where it falls in Po." -From: Dante's "Inferno" (the Italian is written in Terza Rima) *** My Castle, strong, its walls so high and thick Small windows with high sills No one comes in, no one leaves, when I am sick and tired of escaping his thrills Far away the green meets the blue, a river as a small ribbon meets the sky I push everything else away, only a sliver remains. Only beauty meets my eye I fight my lonely fight beyond invisible walls Over my head they wet their swords From each sundown till the end of nightfall I can only beat them with my words Words, sharp and strong as ice Words, mild, loving and wise... *** April 12, 2017 Copyright © Darren White