Castle in the Sky

A sestina..ohhhh fun

Castle in the Sky

 

Sleeping soundly I’m able to go to this place,

Walking through dandelion fields, where the tower rose.

It knows my name and calls me to enter.

Inside the stone walls, I trade in my Monkey Pajama Pants,

Accepting a dress more becoming on this castle.

There’s heat that grows in me here; I let it burn.

 

My cheeks turn pink to display this happy burn.

I smile, I laugh, I begin to parade about the place.

I see servants, jesters, lions, and ethers in this castle.

A small man, perhaps three foot three, bid my spirits rose

On his passing. I turn, dream slowly, and chase after him, wishing I wore my pants.

But he passed through a door too small for me to enter.

 

I kick a knock, “May I enter?”

“Why no ma’am,” A voice thundered. “I do not burn

Away a wall for no one.” Another small man nudges me as he pants

“I have come a very long way to tell you. You are in the wrong place.”

“A souvenir for the lady.” A Jester hands me a paper rose.

“But this is not your castle.”

 

My eyes search frantically the walls of the Castle.

“But it called me to enter!”

I saw where the tower rose,

Know the warmest feeling of a discovered dream’s sweet burn,

I have been happy in this place,

And besides, you have taken my Monkey Pajama Pants.

 

“You shall have your pants

But this is not your castle.”

I no longer feel happy in this place.

A Jester leans forward, “You were a fool to enter.”

His breath is sweet like vodka, and his eyes begin to burn.

The entire party begins to dance, as the flames inside his eyes rose.

 

The flames eat away at my paper rose.

Leaving me a cigarette, a lion is walking around in my pants.

And everyone else is becoming a dancing flame, willing to burn.

There’s no laughter within this castle.

A sign should be posted, “To ensure sanity to do not enter.”

I used to love this place.

 

Once I entered a Castle in the Sky

In Monkey Pajama Pants, with a rose cigarette

As soon as I came to that place, I watched it burn.

 

Author's Note

a sestina was a challenging form for me, let me know if you think i pulled it off.

Reviews

[Mauricio Montoya]

it makes me think of the many dreams I've been too.
nice work.