178 - Today I've seen more castles than you can

Today I’ve seen more castles than you can
Shake a stick at. I’ve been all round North Wales
To celebrate St David’s Day. Rhuddlan,
A ruined shell, and Harlech never fails
To inspire viewers, picturing old tales
Of Edward the First’s English invasion.
Early attempts had all gone off the rails
Because of the fierce Welsh rebellion.
So Master James of St George was the one
That Edward paid to build to the best plan
So many hilltop fortresses the gales
Now tear through, chased by fog and rain and sun.
These ruined shells still overlook the sand
To tell their tales of how brute strength prevails.
Thur 1 March 2007