The tiny chink your arrow found
I had exposed to let you see
The harmless part of me.

(The seeping hole you thought you saw
Was something like an iceberg's tip
Or non-responding blip.)

My rusty armour's twelve years old.
It needs replacement soon, unless
I find civilian dress.

You've penetrated castle walls
That took my lifetime to erect
And I could not suspect

You'd found a palace far away.
I always thought it was a drab
And dreary grey prefab.

Now you have left just rubble here.
You've given me some palace plans
But I am just one man.

I can't hope to succeed alone.
I've begged your strength to help me live
And power to forgive.

You've helped me get this far. Thankyou.
The bricks that you supplied are great,
You've been a vital mate

But now you've left I find I know
Of nothing useful palace-wise
Without your watchful eyes.

Two distant palaces are yours.
The first, afar, you have and bless.
The second, here, a mess.

Come here, princess, I know you would
If only you could once let go
And in my river flow.

You've almost drowned before, you said.
I've thought of trying it myself
But just can't leave the wealth

Of music, gold and poetry,
And chinks I like to show my friends
To drive them round the bend.

I love you princess, can't you see?
It's innocent, perhaps naive;
Please try, try to believe.