boom and it shattered the ground

and it shuddered the structure again

new bulwarks, rebuilt ramparts wrecked

and cracked down newly mortared stone

the supports splintered, straining

slipping in muddy silty sand

seemed so solid in the sunlight

ages of rubble, shifting, crumbling

a mumbled apology, a whispered plea

to please not fall over, to please not break down

to please not make me build again

what took so long to raise again

and boom, it shuddered the walls

the foundations cracked and split

the structure shook, it leaned and screamed

but did not fall