Hadrian's memorial

Many years ago,
In the height of its majesty,
Knapped stones towered high
Above the insignificant people below.
Miles and miles of unsurpassable might
Protecting the ideals they held close to their hearts.
Keeping away those who refused to believe them;
Those they believed savages.

Hobnails crashed against the stone,
Sandals sunk into the well-trodden mud.
No one could pass it during its days of glory,
When it stood high and was patrolled
By score upon score of men.

Floods of soldiers began to leave
As troubles back home began to grow.
Upkeep became too much for them,
So the stones began to crumble.

Torrents of rain over the centuries
Washed away the binding mortar.
The towering might reduced
To a mere mound in the land;
No longer trapping and holding
People either side of it;
One side no longer considered
Inferior and violent.

North and south
United once more;
Or so you would think, with
The soaring barrier gone.
New lines were drawn
On maps and in minds
To separate the people
On either side.

by LadyStarbright
posted on 07/24/2007