In the Throne Room

I have a castle in my head

It's tall and broad and strong

Inside it is a throne room

And a throne I don't sit on

A thousand crowns have graced it

As I give the world away

To whoever would embrace it

To whoever claims they'd stay

Their tapestries upon the wall

Pretend they've never flickered

They change with each try to recall

Their tangled threads grow thicker

Embroidered on in red, the hearts

Beat boldly and exposed

They drip their rust beyond the edge

The metal stings the nose

I do not wish to linger there

It's dim and it is stained

Every breath I've given it

Is one it won't sustain

Still, castle walls roll round the hill

And I must keep within

Though the throne room does not call me

Outside's a bloodied grin

With teeth that look for other flesh

Beyond that which contains them

The woods are deep; the woods are dark

They bite what tries to tame them

Rallying against the walls

They, too, try for the throne

But the rings don't fit their twisting claws

Their heads no crown calls home

A part of me weeps iron tears

To hear their screams outside

But the walls stand stout eternally

Mortared with the tears I've cried

Though I've no hands to ward them out

No eyes to see them in

For in my castle, I'm what I am

A heart's unbalanced din

That drums along the castle walls

And hides behind an empty throne

When the monster of the forest

Shares a face I call my own