An Old Fortress—by William Helms

 You who were once so angry,

so desperate 

  with something to prove

     You who now are so gentle,

so nurturing:

a forest on your head,

  a whole world on your roof

     You who were built

against your will

for destruction and for war,

now live free and beautiful;

  a life of soil and of silt.

     The clovers dance in your chest,

The grasses wave in your stomach.

  The wind blows, the world turns

and you who were once so angry

     now are an island of peace.