The Tower By The Sea

Standing by the raging sea,
she froths and foams this angrily:
“I’ll heave the sands and crush your ships
while you stand idle, watching me.
You light your oil, flaring lamps
to try and slow this old machine.
I turn deaf eyes, for my reply
will be the same for centuries:

I have no time for those who stand
against the waves with outstretched hands.
All towers built into my shore
will see their end for none remain.”

Disheartened by the changing tides,
I found respite in starry sky.
The loving moon shone empathy
but just as quickly turned to hide.
“Oh moon,” I hurled up to the dark.
“Why change your stance so flippantly?
Cement your light and stay in place!”
Remorsefully, she called to me:

“I have no time to fix my love
to just one spot, remain above.
The world is large and you are one.
Time calls me forward, you must move on.”

Clung to the dark with just my flare
the seasons changed, and my despair
was peaked when death came wandering past
en route to claim the souls I bared.
“My warning, friend, for I am death,”
his shrill it chorused out to me.
“These souls you bare have had their time
and now they sadly take their leave.

I have no time to hear such cries
for why I must do what I might.
The seasons change and so must life.
You cannot stand the test of time.”

So vainly here I still pretend
to shut out sea, and moon, and death.
I shine my light out fixedly
and stay in place ‘til I must end.
I warn you, men, stay clear these rocks
or risk this island’s lonely path.
And when this tower’s bricks will fall,
engrave in them my epitaph:

“I have no time to change my pace
while things outside my realm decay.
I’ve set my course. It’s far too late.
Whatever comes, here I remain.”