My Only Defense

I hold no sword in my hand,
nor daggers in boots or belt.
I wear but cloth upon my chest,
no chain mail or plates on my breast.
The only armor I carry in air is felt
summoned upon by mental demand.

Begrudge me not my towering walls
built upon my past's foundation,
mortared with tears and blood and bone
are stones of thought through which is shown
a labyrinth of my own creation
filled with tricks and mirrored halls.

I stand within myself to keep others out
for fear and hist'ry have proven without fail
that people are dangerous beyond compare.
So here I stay in a castle made of utmost care,
no matter the travelers at my gate that hail...
I am my own prisoner, safe and devout.