Candles of the Night: A Book of Poetry

The Sound of Stone

Once there was a town
And at the center of the city
Was a giant block of stone

Even in the depths of downtown
No one could tell you about it
Even the wise old man didn't know

So it sat there untouched but sound
Until a traveler came along
And started carving into it alone

Each day he'd pound and pound
Until the children came along
Rambunctiously playing in loud tones

Each day they'd work to the sounds
Then the homeless came along
Since they had been disowned

Each day more dust piled on the ground
So the elders came along
Finding it better than just sitting at home

Each day they got closer to the final round
Next the parents came along
Though it was outside their comfort zone

Each day the city gained more reknown
Finally the greedy and broke came along
Seeing how they could be known

But the traveler was placed in the ground
So sadness led to separation
And unity was overthrown

Everyone was solemn, but hell bound
Yet they remembered the time before chaos
So Progress continued with the children now grown

They carved endlessly pound after pound
They had to honor the traveler
And soon their light was shown

With motivation newly found
Everyone joined in
Seeing how the others had flown

They sang sweet sounds
As they finished their masterpiece
Rejoicing for all this they had sewn

Word went around and around
And everyone marveled at their success
Thinking it was something they would always own

Years upon years later all that news drowned
The masterpiece withered away
Becoming completely overgrown

Soon it was an ugly eyesore
And everyone hated it
So they got together
And for unity's last triumph
They tore it all down