A Fortress

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I weathered the storm and endured the pain, until I grew weary of standing in the rain.
So when hail beat down upon my back, I began to look for stones to stack.
I built a lovely box to protect me, but once inside, I held no key.
I saw that the rocks blocked out the sun.
They were a shield around me, from which I couldn’t run.
The walls seemed unforgiving and cold, until in time, I found a foothold.
Quickly, I began to scale its height, though my fortress begged me not to fight.
Bumping gentle bruises on my shins, leaving shallow scratches on my skin.
And yet, I climbed higher still, vainly struggling against His will.
With every inch, I thought, that my victory could be bought.
I was awakened to feelings I thought had died; hope rose within me as I climbed.
When I conquered the walls that protected me, I cast aside the fear, sure I was free.
But then the clouds poured out the rain, down from the heavens came memories of pain.
The skies were dark and the thunder loud; I couldn’t find my way back down.
I tried to return to my lovely box, but I lost my balance on the slippery rocks.
At first I stumbled, and then I fell, the walls now a hollow shell.
How quickly those walls crumbled, as through the air I tumbled.
And there I lay broken among the stones, a shattered and hopeless pile of bones.
These bones man would grind to ashes, but before him, a shadow passes.
From the rubble I am found again, to walk away from what had been.
All burden is lifting from my back, and I do not look for stones to stack.

Shelly Sue Nabors

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