Defense Mechanism Poem by Barry Middleton

I will pretend fear can't exist
for heroes hide in fog and mist

the bloody wars and genocide
are far beyond on the other side

I can pretend and make it real
success is only the way I feel

when rain falls in the afternoon
I can accept life ends too soon

I can pretend that peace exists
hate is dead and love persists

I still have dreams that I can fly
it may be true we find the sky

I can pretend the world lives on
till every breath of hope is gone