---===* The Wall *===---

Behind the fence, behind the gate,

Behind the hedge, she'd often wait.

Beneath the cedar's whispering call,

Behind the wall, so strong, so tall.

----====*====----

And he who built this granite fence

Had then set off, departed hence.

And left the waiting child inside,

But never let the gate swing wide.

----====*====----

She cried to see him go away,

But nothing she could do, or say

Could free her from behind the stone,

And so she stayed there, all alone.

----====*====----

Outside the wall, one quiet night,

There came a rogue, his sabre bright.

No fear had he of cap and ball,

He heard the child, behind the wall.

----====*====----

He called her near, and soothed her fear,

And told her all she wished to hear.

But even standing straight and tall,

He never passed the granite wall.

----====*====----

I passed the child that day, at dawn,

Long after midnight's rogue had gone.

I waved, and bade her talk with me,

And stepped through what I could not see.

----====*====----

Now if, my friend, you haven't guessed,

Twas there I found my lifelong quest.

Through granite, steel and tears I filed,

And freed the woman from the child.

----====*====----

For, finally she came to see,

Her wall did not exist, for me.

Her granite shadow, cast away.

As endless loving came to stay.

----====*====----