bones and teeth and fractures

'May you live in interesting times' - a curse

Time and time again

I have stood in the ribcage of a castle,

bones picked bare by the centuries,

and been humbled by history.

I am ephemeral.

I know this, still I wonder

if any remnant of me will endure.

Time slows for nobody.

The volume of human suffering

floods my mind,

and the sea levels are rising every day.

My body begs for rest.

But the fangs are glinting closer,

and the gnaw below my ribs is an omen:

soon enough I'll have to get my hands bloodied.

Ares help me.

I'm nobody, arms-bearer, only -

is that the point?

I know I'll break my knuckles in the punching but

I'll still swing as hard as I can.

Defender of home,

help me find my strength.

Let it take root in my nebulous core,

let it direct my mute rage into honourable fury,

let it blossom into a victory.

I may not last.

But please, clamouring Ares,

let me have the strength enough

to be a shield for my loved ones.