Verbal Visions

The Grand Illusion

The Grand Illusion

The night is getting darker,
and the crowd is growing bolder.
There is excitement in the air.

The war is over.
We have won.
It's time for a celebration of our
victory and a display
of our power.

In the distance, I see it.
A procession of lights.
Mythic creatures,
symbols of a better future,
a utopia that only existed
in the pages of dreams.

Unicorns and dragons
parade by with pride to
enflame and inspire
the nation.

But, I am old and
have seen this before.
One monster traded
for another.

What appears as a fierce protector,
is a costume of light, 
an illusion of liberty.
It is an accurate representation
of what awaits us.

False promises and oppression
hidden by the cloak of freedom.
One day, he will lead us
again to war,
to our doom,
or he will rip us apart first.