Structure

I am a fortress to the wild

The roots of the forest are tangled with my own

I wrap my solid, oak arms around what little warmth I have

My body creaks and groans against the winds

Their voices encourage me to abandon my vigil

But I am a stronghold

I will not move

Sometimes, my door is left wide open

But usually it is locked tight to keep out the cold

Most cannot make it past a glimpse into my windows

They are afraid of the darkness they see inside

But they don't see the warmth at my hearth or the fire in my soul

I am a home

I will not abandon

These old, wood walls were crafted by loving, faithful hands

Each two-by-four cut and shaped to fit my design

And every bump, crack, and sharp edge is mine and mine alone

When my walls are not enough

I rely on others to help me weather the storm

Because we are all made with the same grain

I am a barrier

I will not bend

I surround myself with beautiful trees and flowers

They remind me of who I am and where I come from

I can't help the rotten weeds that crop up

But even the brownest patches of grass are mine to watch over

At the farthest reaches of my stone fingers

My own Garden of Eden

I am a sanctuary

I will not crumble

I am swarmed by thousands of bugs and pests

Taking every inch of open space they can

Sapping the strength from the walls built to keep them out

I have done everything I can to get rid of them

They don't seem to understand how much I want them gone

But I am a castle

I will not give in

They come, time and time again

To dig at my foundation and press against my rooftop

To push me to the limits of my construction

I don't know if they are jealous of my structure

Or angry over my strength

But there's no point in apprehension

Try as they might, they can no longer shape me

And they will never subdue me

For I am a fortress

I will stand until I am needed no more