The Defiant: By Michael L. Bailey

Along wind blown shores and crisp horizons, a fortress stands
Cliffs of reckless abandon fall to the waters, there's no beach, no sand.
Years of trials, brick and mortor, the fortress is born
She stands, defiant, strong, welcoming the storms.
The winds of nevers and maybes shake the thick walls
The waves of betrayal, trust, quake the inner halls.

The walls are thicker and higher, they continue to grow
Before the sun rays could permiate, and now not even a glow.
Keep your promises at the door, and your knees to the ground
These chains are locked, is there a key to be found?
The vibrant colors of truth have faded to black and white,
Now even the day is as dark as the night.

However, a fortress she has not always been
But once a castle on a hill, where the sunrise shown in.
The gate was lowered, where hope found peace in her depths
But inside the foundation the walls secretly wept.
Like a trojan horse, the throne collapsed from the inside out
The lights, the candles, a cold breeze blew them out.
Her past beauty was a city on a hill
But now in the hollows, there's only silence, a chill.

You can't penetrate the fortress, you can't make it move
No words, no actions, can weaken, or sooth.
The foundation is set, what is, is what will forever be
The doubts are the far off distance, like water of the sea.
The mighty fortress has endured the squalls and sting of the rain
This mighty fortress has long since forgotten the feel of pain.

But wait! What ship is this with white sails that draws near?
The sun beaming off the breakers, the mist off rocks she clears.
The fortress has withstood what the tempest hath raged,
Face to face with brilliance the fortress is engaged.
Though the facade be thick and watchmen guarded
The white ship has weakened the ego, the takeover has started.

Shame,guilt, and pitty were the ties that bound
But a new stronger bond of absolute truth has been found.
Black to white, grey to gold
The fortress is gone, replaced by a sight to behold.
A broken soul, a broken heart, and will
All can find restoration, and return to that city on a hill.

The fortress stood strong protecting a heart of stone,
Years it wasted, pride it's prince, reigned alone.
But the castle of beauty, in faith, is finally free,
At peace, at rest, by the enchanting call of the sea.
Instead of conquering dreams, and solitude in the dawn
There's renewal and enlightenment where the waters are calm.