Donna’s Lament

The smoke still clings to the morning air

Like a ghost that won’t let go

Ash falls soft on broken stone

Like a bitter winter snow

I sailed from distant Eastern lands

With secrets in my hand

Now I walk these ruined halls

In a burned and broken land

I hear the guns of the Redcoat line

Rolling through the hills

Thunder came—but it came too late

To silence all these ills

My brothers sailed the Baywhar Babe

Through storm and fire so true

But no brave sail nor cannon’s roar

Could bring me back to you

Oh Strongcastle, my Strongcastle

You stood when all would fall

Your voice was steel, your will was flame

You gave your life for all

And I would trade these victories

For one more moment’s breath

To hear you call my name again

And turn aside from death

I learned the ways of distant lands

Where silk and spice are gold

And words can bend the hardest hearts

If wisely bought and sold

But even all my cunning there

Could not have kept you near

Now I use it just to bear

The weight of all my fear

Richard stands with a hollow gaze

Mark won’t meet my eyes

David wears a crown of ash

Where brighter glory lies

We won the field—but what is won

When hearts are torn away?

A kingdom built on sacrifice

Still weeps at end of day

You told them “Stand,” you held the line

When the dark came crashing through

And even as the Redcoats broke

Your strength at last withdrew

They say you looked with quiet peace

Or maybe soft surprise

As if you saw beyond the veil

In those fading eyes

Oh Strongcastle, my Strongcastle

You stood when all would fall

Your voice was steel, your will was flame

You gave your life for all

And I would trade these victories

For one more moment’s breath

To hear you call my name again

And turn aside from death

The banners rise, the war is done

The bards will sing your name

But songs can’t warm a child’s hand

Nor ease a father’s flame

Let them cheer the ending

Let them praise the cost—

I’ll walk these silent battlements

And count what we have lost

Oh Strongcastle… my Strongcastle…

The echoes fade away

Your war is done, your watch has passed

But mine begins today

And I will carry all you were

Through every breath I take

For love like yours does not fall…

Even when hearts break