Steel and Stone

Empty space surrounds me. 

I shrug off intimidation as my lungs fill

And my hand readies itself, 

A willing harbinger of God knows what? 

A man appears, not yet knowing that

He is under my control. 

He follows my every order, 

Unaware that he is unwilling. 

A simple man isn't good enough. 

I wish for the bustle of a city

To be within my grasp. 

The man now stands beside

The tower in which I reside. 

I am sole arbiter of this world. 

The people below and the people without

Stare at my fortress of stone and steel. 

My escape is impenetrable, much like theirs. 

I choose mine -- Those below remain as they were: unaware. 

But my desires are instilled in them. 

I live vicariously, believing the wall between us

May crumble. 

Every now and then, they look up at me, 

As if they threaten to rebel. 

For a moment those below see the stone and steel; 

Those without see the quill and ink. 

Author's Note

Personally one of my favorites I wrote that semester. I tried to work on a number of levels and identify some aspects of authorship I have heard MANY people talk about.

After editing and re-writing, I am very pleased with how this one turned out.

Enjoy!