Playing Pretend

Late afternoon, given sunny azure skies and imagination
Instead of nap time, we would play pretend.
We were the knights who tried to quell
The wicked witch who conjured a spell.
She turned into a dragon, macabre and massive
Like the monster in the closet: darkness and death awaited us
Breathing hot flames of rage down our backs and
Roaring. Then we pierced its heart with our plastic swords
And vanquished her. We thought the fiendish beast would be no more.
Other times we would pretend we were pirates lost on the high seas
Aboard a rickety cardboard ship, hunting for hidden piles of jewels.
We sailed away and drifted down the endless abyss
Wondering where we would land, hoping to find a sea of sand.
We would spot a star sparkling from afar and make a wish.
We would fly to Neverland and meet Peter Pan
Living in a world of make believe with not a care about tomorrow.

We were adventurers venturing into the unknown.
But our flights of fantasies were fleeting,
Our skies now a cold, gray slate.
No time for games, but we still play pretend.
We still wear masks and masquerade
Around with the face of pretty poise
When faced with the pressure of reality’s rash noise.