In the midst of Europe's countrysides
stand castles, strong and odd:
one would have thought that they'd be gone,
through an act of man or god.
The oddness is that they still stand
as if waiting for their lord,
while their only loyal visitors
are tourists who are bored.
When driving on the lanes and paths
of a castled-countryside,
one rounds a bend to see rolled out
brick castles spread out wide.
In the midst of modern cityscapes
these castles have no place,
in the midst of rolling hills and glades
they are a dour disgrace.
For still they speak to us today
of times now long ago,
when rich young lords with entourage
would bustle to and fro.
Commanding this and claiming that
their echoes still ring on
in castles made of steel and glass
that dominate our dawn.
Yes, castles have their charm and, yes,
remind us who we are,
yes, they're important heritage
that shows we've come from far.
But since they housed cruel greedymen
(mean-hearted thieves and rapers)
should we not tear them to the ground
and ditto the skyscrapers?