Originally written as a gift to my children’s father, whom I was dating at the time, and later published in Sandscript, the Framingham South High School literary publication, in 1986 under my maiden name, Leslie Wilkinson.
There exists within my heart
a castle, great and tall
and in this place you'll find my love
shut behind stone walls.
It looks to be a colorless place
which no-one may ever enter
but its halls are filled with quiet beauty
and a rose of love at its center.
You saw my castle quite by chance
and passed through its unguarded doors
you opened the shuttered windows to let in light
and swept the dust from its floors.
You listened to the music in the halls
you read the unopened books
the gems which were never gazed upon
you gave your loving looks.
You nurtured a withering rose of love
which I thought would never grow
you gave it care and light and love and
you made it want to show.
To an empty place you brought such joy
a gift I cannot repay
you mean so very much to me
my love for you
will forever stay
in the castle
of my heart.
— Leslie, 1986
Original publication
Sandscript, Framingham South High School, 1986
Published under my maiden name, Leslie Wilkinson.
Cover and original poem as they appeared together:
