Dead vines encircled the tower
Once green, budding flowers, and thick thorns
Now withered, dry, and brittle
Half the bricks from the structure have fallen
Black vegetation still clinging

Above all, the princess still sleeps
Once dressed in a pure white gown
Now caked in dust, stained by sun and rain
Her face remains forever frozen in a state of youth
As the rest of her body wanes

Long ago there were hopes
A prince would come to break the enchantment
Take the princess as his wife
And carry her off to his kingdom
To live the fantasy

But the legend grew old
And with it, the location was mistaken
The trials to face exaggerated
And no one could remember why
The princess continued to sleep