"There was a wall here. Now it is dust.
A tower rose here. Now it is fallen.
An army fought here. Now it is dead.
A spirit was here. It is all that remains."
- Kami of the Old Stone.

I am made of stone, of hardened flesh,
Of beat up bones and tampered mesh.

I seek to become the best of the best,
And I now I weep like all the rest.

My walls have never been breached,
Nor has my heart ever been reached.

I watch those around me stumble and fall;
I scoop them up one and all.

Friends and companions, lovers and lust,
They all do what they must.

They survive in a world of ash and dust.

Using me 'til I bend and break.

But my soul, they'll never take.

I lend them money, hand and trust,
But often all I get is mush.

They use my shoulder
Like a boulder,

Always crying, hurting and seeking shelter,
Under my walls do they welter.

Friends and companions, lovers and lust,
They all do what they must.
They survive in a world of ash and dust.

I'm the walls, with a heart within.
I hope one day to let someone in.

May she be stunning, wonderous and slim,
For she may pass the tests within.

Until then, I shall shut the doors,
And lend my strength to the passing lores.

Friends and companions, lovers and lust,
May one of you clean up the dust.