The Ship

the cobble stones show signs of wear
the patter of a myriad feet
that stomped both up and down each stair
for news of the returning fleet

they know of worry and of pain
of ships that sailed into the void
the sudden jolt, the steady strain
of lives both broken and destroyed

the bloody stains of sacrifice
no longer paint the ancient rocks
but they remember knives that slice
obedient throats out by the docks

but all is quiet now, the stones
are just a footpath, no more quests
excursions, tales of ancient bones
are popular among the guests

Author notes: wc 99 https://allpoetry.com/contest/2784612-Fantasy-1028