There's a castle in my backyard.

Ever since it appeared,
I haven't been able to hear the roar of traffic
or the honking of the train.

Now when I open my window
I hear the chirping of birds and rustle of grass
until, of course, the ringing of steal and braying of horses replaces them.

I can never quite see whatever battle is raging behind the stone walls.
Just the waving and toppling of banners
and the occasional red streak that drips down the battlements
from a now limp hand.

I can't sit here not knowing for much longer.

I know I should probably call someone.
Use the tools of this modern age to see if anyone else sees it
or if it's just a fluke.
But when I reach for my phone
it sits in my hand, cold and wrong
like it no longer belongs to me.
Like it's the one out of time and place here
more than the castle outside my window.

I don't really need it anyway.
I've been meaning to unplug.

And what could possibly go wrong
with just a short trip into my own backyard?