Shields were ready

gates were drawn

the ramparts of my heart were strong

great the walls

that hid within

treasured gold and precious gems;

Lined upon

the towers high

soldiers ready to fight and die

steely thoughts

that guarded sure

the heart against assault endured;

Battle lines

drawn up tight

armed and steeled, the banners bright;

Nary a foe

had come so close

to breach the walls that held back hope

'til sighted on

the far horizon

glimmering sunlight shimmered and shined;

The walls they trembled

at the sound

of wheels and hooves that shook the ground;

Like Priam seated

on his throne

safe, secure from all unknown

my fortress felt

impending fear

from horns that sounded nearer and nearer;

Fires were lit

in soul's dark night

the camp was pitched, an awesome sight;

By morn the battle

had drawn nigh

the fight to save the city I

had struggled long

to hold, protect

resistance had but little effect

'til brought before

the gates outside

a Trojan hope I could not hide;

While somewhere in

the long cold night

the gates were parted and brought inside

the grand deception

soon unleashed

the trap was set, the heart impeached;

The foe no longer

held at bay

crept within and soon betrayed

the city long

entrenched in lies

that stood aloft in fear's disguise

fell but in

a single day

the guard let down, all swept away;

The fires raged

for days they burned

treasures plundered, heart oer'turned

and in the burning

ashes lay

shards of inward pottery

which held a heart

that dared to risk

the battle lost, to no profit;

Naught to do

but rebuild walls

laid low at last in love's downfall;

Thrice as high

and thrice as strong

thrice as guarded, thrice as long

thicker and harder

foundations laid

my Trojan heart that hope betrayed.